Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: Safety marshals and ambulance crews at the ready

Teams from the Emirates Motorsport Organisation and National Ambulance are providing vital support at Yas Marina Circuit

Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton during practice for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit Hamad. Reuters

World champion Lewis Hamilton arrives at the circuit ahead of practice. Getty

Mercedes driver George Russell during practice. Getty

Alfa Romeo's Italian driver Antonio Giovinazzi arrives at Yas Marina Circuit. AFP

French driver Pierre Gasly prepares for practice. Getty

Red Bull's Dutch driver Max Verstappen at Yas Marina Circuit. Getty Images

Haas' Brazilian driver Pietro Fittipaldi during the first practice session. AFP

Mercedes' driver Lewis Hamilton during the first practice session. AFP

Lewis Hamilton's dog Roscoe at the Yas Marina Circuit. AFP

Racing Point's Lance Stroll during practice. Getty Images

British driver Lewis Hamilton arrives at the Yas Marina Circuit. AFP

AlphaTauri driver Pierre Gasly. AP

Red Bull's Swiss driver Sebastien Buemi. AFP

Marino Sato of Japan and Scuderia AlphaTauri looks on from the pit wall. Getty

AlphaTauri's French driver Pierre Gasly arrives for the first practice session. AFP

Red Bull's Max Verstappen. AFP

AlphaTauri's Daniil Kvyat drives during the first practice session. AFP

Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel. AFP

British driver George Russell. AFP

Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel. AFP

Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc. AFP

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner. Getty

Russian driver Daniil Kvyat of AlphaTauri in the garage ahead of practice. Getty

Mercedes' driver Lewis Hamilton. AFP

Chase Carey, CEO and Executive Chairman of the Formula One Group, in the Paddock before practice. Getty

Fernando Alonso in the Paddock before practice. Getty

Racing Point's Sergio Perez and his wife, Carola Martinez Salido. Getty

Safety marshals are a key part of any Formula One event, and Yas Marina Circuit has amassed 420 of them for this year’s Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

All are volunteers supplied by the Emirates Motorsport Organisation, and they arrived at the track this week, each joining one or more of the various speciality groups already working onsite.

“The marshals are the unsung heroes of every racing weekend anywhere in the world, and their role is crucial in the safe running of any event,” said Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of EMSO and FIA Vice President for Sport.

“We are proud to have a consolidated team of experienced marshals that work with us year-round, and many of them have been with us since the first Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 11 years ago.”

The volunteers are working in a variety of fields, including race control, medical care, and rescue. They will also be in the pitlane, ensuring nothing goes awry in what can be the most dangerous area in any motorsport race.

“Marshals are absolutely essential, it is as simple as that,” Mohammed Ben Sulayem added.

“Without officials and marshals ensuring the FIA safety standards are met, there cannot be successful racing. The sport keeps becoming more and more professional, which translates into standards constantly becoming higher and higher, and safety is always the top priority.”

There are 35 nationalities taking part this year.

Training staff to the standards required by world-class motorsport events is a constant priority at EMSO. This takes place all-year round and covers both theory and practical exercises, but specific preparations for the Abu Dhabi GP start in June.

___________________________________________________

Safety marshals in training at Yas Marina Circuit

___________________________________________________

This year has been particularly challenging for EMSO, bearing in mind advent of Covid-19, with the organisation ramping up its online training modules and assessments.

Meanwhile, 70 staff from National Ambulance are also ready and waiting at the circuit.

For the 2020 race, teams on the ground feature the largest percentage of Emirati Emergency Medical Technicians compared to previous years. These specialists are helping keep the 3,000 staff onsite at Yas Marina Circuit safe.

As well as supporting on a number of high-profile events such as the Abu Dhabi Triathlon and the RAK Half Marathon throughout the year, the organisation is attending its seventh consecutive Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

___________________________________________________

Video: Preparing Yas Marina Circuit