🏁 Behind the Barriers: What I Learned Volunteering at the F1 Miami Grand Prix

I’ve always been a motorsports enthusiast. I love driving on track myself, but it’s also a privilege to witness the pros push the absolute limits. Today marks the fourth annual Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix, and while I’m watching it from home this time around, I can’t help but think back to when I had the opportunity to be right there, on the front lines.

In 2022, I got the chance to marshal at the inaugural F1 Miami Grand Prix. I returned in 2023 for my second round. Both experiences were unforgettable. There’s something surreal about standing just a few feet away from some of the fastest machines in the world, watching them scream by while knowing that you and your team are part of the reason the race can go on safely.

What a lot of people don’t realize is that Formula 1, like many forms of motorsport, relies heavily on volunteers. It doesn’t matter if it’s a club race or the biggest championship in the world. The folks waving flags, clearing debris, helping drivers, and keeping the track safe aren’t getting paid. They’re doing it for the love of the sport. And despite being unpaid, the level of professionalism, precision, and discipline across the entire volunteer crew is something you’d expect from any elite operation. Imagine standing under the blazing Miami sun for four days straight, wearing heavy overalls and rubber gloves, all while staying locked in and ready to jump into action at a moment’s notice. That’s what it takes to be a marshal.

Being part of something like that taught me a lot — not just about racing, but about life, leadership, and working under pressure. Some of those lessons stuck with me long after the checkered flag dropped.

Lesson 1: Having a Plan Is Better Than No Plan

The first lesson was the importance of having a plan. Crashes in racing are unpredictable. You never know when something’s going to happen, but when it does, there’s no time to hesitate. In most cases, a crash gets cleared within five minutes. That might not sound like much, but within that time, the lead marshal has to coordinate with race control, signal the lift operator, make sure their team is safe, check on the driver, assess the damage, decide how the car needs to be moved, and what equipment is required. It’s a lot to do in a short span, and there’s no room for guesswork. That’s why, before the race even begins, we run through different scenarios. We assign roles, go over procedures, and figure out how to handle certain crashes. We even coordinate hand signals with equipment operators and study the lights on the cars so we can accurately relay information back to race control. These conversations happen between corners too, especially if there’s a chance we’ll need extra help or tools. All of that prep might seem excessive, but when you’re live in front of millions of viewers and dealing with 200 mph machines, having a plan makes all the difference.

Lesson 2: The 3 C’s of Communication (and One More)

The second thing I took away was how vital good communication is, especially in high-stress situations. There’s this concept we always go back to: the three C’s of communication — clarity, conciseness, and completeness. And I’ll add one more: calmness. During a live crash, you’re often talking with your crew, the lift operator, and race control all at once, while engines roar around you, fans cheer in the background, and everything is moving fast. You don’t get a second chance to re-explain something. The message has to be right the first time. What makes this even more complex is that Formula 1 is a global sport. You’re working with people from all over the world, often with different first languages, different communication styles, and different racing cultures. I’ve been on corners where I’ve worked alongside people from ten or more nationalities in the same weekend. In that kind of environment, being able to say exactly what you mean, and doing it calmly, matters more than you can imagine.

Lesson 3: Teamwork Makes the Dream Work

The third lesson is probably the most universal — teamwork really does make the dream work. No one runs a corner alone. You’re out there with a team, and that team becomes your unit for the entire weekend. You spend hours together in the Miami heat, sometimes with no shade, no bathroom breaks for long stretches, and the constant pressure of being responsible for the safety of drivers, fans, and each other. The people you work with become your lifeline. At my very first F1 Miami GP, I was paired with two other marshals. One was a para-firefighter from Colorado who used to jump out of planes to fight forest fires. The other was a firefighter from North Carolina who ran a nonprofit supporting injured fire personnel. Since then, I’ve worked alongside doctors from Brazil, scientists, software engineers, mechanics. The track brings together people from every walk of life. Despite our differences, what unites us is the desire to keep things safe, work efficiently, and enjoy being part of something bigger than ourselves. That bond matters, especially when things go sideways.

And let’s be clear, marshaling isn’t without its dangers. I’ve seen people pass out from heatstroke. I’ve seen injuries. And tragically, there have been lives lost in this line of work. The last marshal to die at a Formula 1 race was in 2013 at the Canadian Grand Prix. It’s a reminder that what we’re doing isn’t just about waving flags or standing around in high-vis gear. It’s real responsibility.

I don’t have as much free time these days to keep marshalling, but I’m grateful I got the chance to do it when I did. I’ve worked Formula 1, Formula E, and MotoAmerica. I’ve made amazing connections, learned some invaluable lessons, and experienced racing in a way that no ticket or camera ever could. Now, I watch the races from my couch, analyzing every little detail, annoying my friends and family with mid-race commentary. It’s not the same, but the love for the sport is still there.

If you’re a fan of motorsport and ever get the chance to volunteer at a race, do it. You don’t need to be an expert. You just need passion, a little grit, and the willingness to work as part of a team. You’ll come away with more than just memories — you’ll walk away with skills and stories that stick with you for life.

Thanks to Formula 1 and the global volunteer community who make these races possible weekend after weekend. You’re the unsung heroes of the fastest sport in the world.

Thanks for reading,

Seif Juban

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