EMSO gears up for F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix with 1000 volunteers training to international standards

The Emirates Motorsport Organization (EMSO) boosts the training of their Senior Officials with an intensive training programme for the Marshals who will be involved in the Formula One 2019 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Under the leadership of the Organization’s president, Mohammed Ben Sulayem 1000 marshals will intensify their regular training with a total of twenty-three different training sessions between mass meetings and specialty practices.

The first of five mass training sessions took place this past weekend at Yas Marina Circuit, and with 80 days to go before the start of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, EMSO’s president praised the unwavering commitment of the volunteers that make the running of the event possible every year: “We are delighted with the work our volunteers do, and it is inspiring to see the commitment and passion they show for the sport. This year around 1000 volunteers from the UAE Motorsport Marshals Club will manage the event, and we also have an increased number of Emirati Officials, which is always a motive of pride for us”, expressed Ben Sulayem, before explaining that “All officials are competent, and over the next two and a half months, their skills will be enhanced with additional training according to the highest international standards . These men and women have shown great commitment and wide knowledge about their specific tasks, and with the support of our experienced trainers they will be driven to the best of their abilities for us to deliver together a safe event”.

The trainees taking part in these sessions learn new skills and enhance their knowledge with technical reinforcement divided into classroom meetings and practical training, with the latter ranging from practice on live track situations to speciality workshops, and team-building exercises.

The Emirates Motorsport Organization performs a vital role in the running of the event. As the sole UAE representative of the FIA, the governing body of world motorsport, the EMSO is tasked with ensuring that the event is organized and run to regulations, meeting the standards of all events in the championship. Their role of the Sporting Organizer gives the EMSO jurisdiction over all activities occurring within the ‘confines of the catch-fencing’, which is all the areas of the circuit encompassing the track that is off-limits for the public.

Throughout the upcoming training sessions, and the Grand Prix itself, new elements will also be introduced, which will boost critical areas such as sustainability, efficiency and the constant work the Organization does towards performance improvement.

The Emirates Motorsport Organization’s strong volunteer army comprising of more than 1000 officials is the culmination of years of investment and effort and comes from their EMSO Motorsports Officials Club. Such has been the success of the club over recent years, that some individual marshals and teams have been officially recognized by the FIA as the Best Officials in the World three times over previous years, with a fourth title being won by other UAE marshals volunteering on the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge.

The 2019 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will come to life on 29th November with the competitors’ first contact with the track, to reach a climax on Sunday 1st December with the running of the last race on the calendar and closing round of the 2019 FIA Formula One World Championship.