FOREWORD FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE FIA
Dear Members,
Volunteers and officials are the lifeblood of our sport. Without their dedication, professionalism and passion, we could not go racing or rallying.
Last year, we launched the first Volunteers and Officials Month and came together across our Federation to host events and recognise the vital role volunteers and officials play across our sport.
This year, we launched the FIA Formula One World Championship Volunteer Report which highlighted the vital role volunteers play in making races happen, and I am proud to invite you to join me in recognising their outstanding contribution.
As an ASN, from the grassroots to the global stage, you are at the heart of motorsport around the world. Your commitment to developing our volunteers and officials, and protecting the safety and integrity of our sport is inspiring.
Thank you for taking the time to read through this toolkit. I encourage you to join myself and our entire community in celebrating our volunteers and officials in October.
Sincerely,
H.E. Mohammed Ben Sulayem President of the FIA
FOREWORD FROM THE FIA OFFICIALS DEPARTMENT
Last year we held our first FIA Volunteers and Officials Month to celebrate the work of the race makers who power our sport. With your support we delivered a month packed full of events, awards and social media content– a fitting tribute to the dedication of our volunteers and officials worldwide.
From award ceremonies to activations at races, we were delighted to see how our Member Clubs creatively embraced this month and used the opportunity to express thanks and appreciation to those who support motor sport.
In 2026 we’d like to make Volunteers and Officials Month event bigger with more events, more awards and more content to thank them for their service and promote the various roles they undertake behind the scenes to keep us racing and rallying.
This toolkit includes all the information you need to start planning for 2026 Volunteers and Officials Month in October including some suggested events and activities. We hope you can organise some creative and inspiring ways to mark this important month for the FIA and involve your network of volunteers and officials during this period of recognition and celebration.
We’d also like to take this opportunity to highlight the training and development resources available to volunteers and officials. Whether on track or online via FIA University, we’re dedicated to ensuring that those who enable our sport receive ongoing personal and professional support, development and mentorship.
We’re looking forward to seeing how you’ll celebrate Volunteers and Officials Month this year and, as ever, my team and I are here to support your efforts and remain at your disposal to answer any questions.
Matteo Perini FIA Sport Officials Manager
1. WHAT IS VOLUNTEERS AND OFFICIALS MONTH?
FIA Volunteers and Officials Month is a global celebration to recognise and show appreciation for the invaluable contribution of volunteers and officials to motor sport.
October 2026 will be month-long initiative designed to:
• Celebrate the efforts of volunteers and officials at all levels, from grassroots to world championship events.
• Recognise outstanding service and commitment through awards, news articles and social media posts
• Engage the wider motor sport community by sharing the stories behind why volunteers got involved and the great experiences they have had volunteering.
• Inspire the next generation to get involved and experience the thrill of volunteering in motor sport.
ASNs are encouraged to take part by hosting events, sharing content and spotlighting the incredible individuals who make racing happen.
We want to show how important volunteering and officiating is but also how enjoyable and rewarding it can be to promote the next generation to step forward.
2. WHAT COUNTS AS A VOLUNTEER OF OFFICIAL?
FIA Volunteers and Officials Month is also about raising awareness of the vast number of volunteering and officials’ roles throughout motor sport. Some examples of volunteers and officials are:
• Marshals (track/road, flag, judges of fact, etc)
• Stewards
• Race Director
• Clerk of the Course
• Timekeepers
• Secretary of the Event and of the Stewards
• Technical Delegates & Scrutineers
• Medical
• Safety
• Circuit Inspector
• Other Officials & Delegates
However, you may also include volunteers who assist with fan experience or in the organisation of events run by the ASN.
3. WAYS OF GETTING INVOLVED
Over the month of October there are various ways you can show your support to your volunteers and officials, thank them for their commitment and encourage more volunteers to get involved.
A VOLUNTEER AWARDS
Presenting awards to those who have provided an outstanding service to your ASN or events are brilliant way to recognise dedication and promote the various volunteering roles individuals undertake.
You could arrange an awards event in October or announce via social media a number of awards you would like to present to individuals who have volunteered at events in your country. You are free to use the Volunteers and Officials Month logo to create certificates or trophies, and we have put below some suggested categories:
• Outstanding contribution to motor sport
• Outstanding Marshal
• Volunteer of the year
• Lifetime commitment award
• Best team of volunteers (e.g. medical)
Last year we were delighted to awards presented during races and rallies across the world, including at the 2025 Mondokart. com FIA Karting World Championship in Franciacorta.
b. SOCIAL MEDIA
We hope that throughout October ASNs across the world will celebrate their volunteers and officials online, sharing their pride and appreciation for their work. Below are some suggested ways you could use social media to successfully utilise your online presence.
1. Schedule posts throughout the month. Consider creating a content calendar for October with different ideas for posts and try to link posts with any events in October you may be hosting and link posts to these opportunities.
2. Tag #FIAVolunteersOfficialsMonth in your posts and the FIA will be liking and sharing content throughout the month
3. Vary the type of content throughout the month. Some suggested ideas include:
4. Photos of volunteers assembled at an event
5. A behind the scenes look at the various volunteering and official roles
6. Your ASN president awarding a volunteer or official for their dedication and commitment.
7. A video interview with one of your volunteers
8. Include links to allow new volunteers and officials to get involved. Consider creating a volunteer sign up page on your website or contact details in your social media accounts bios to make it easy for new volunteers to get in touch.
9. Use the FIA Volunteers and Officials Month graphics. You are free to use the logo and artwork to ensure visual consistency across FIA member clubs.
10. Use your regional coordinators to amplify your volunteer stories across the network of ASNs.
MODEL SOCIAL MEDIA POST
We couldn’t go racing or rallying without volunteers and officials who power our sport.
This #FIAVolunteersOfficialsMonth we would like to thank them for their dedication and professionalism. You are an inspiration and everyone at [INSERT ASN NAME] would like to thank you for making motor sport possible!
C PROFILING A VOLUNTEER OR OFFICIAL
One of the most impactful ways to celebrate the work and achievements of those who support our events is by profiling someone who has gone the extra mile or given so much of their time over years or even decades.
Writing a short overview of their role, including a story about their time volunteering, including a quote from them about how rewarding personally or professionally their role would be a great way to express the different volunteering and official roles available and the personal and professional benefits volunteering brings.
You could post this profile on your website, link on your social media accounts engage with your media contacts to place this in a national or regional publication. Alternatively, you could record a short video of the individual talking about their role and what it means to them for social media.
Last year 2024 FIA Outstanding Official of the Year, Carol Armstrong, documented her weekend marshalling in Formula 1 at the United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas.
Watch her video here
Motorsport South Africa profiled Robyn Oelofse and her journey on the officiating ladder from rally co-driver to a karting official.
Watch her profile here
Alternatively, you could explain the work of a specific motor sport role. Last year Motorsport New Zealand explored the Clerk of the Course role providing an insight into their responsibilities keeping races and rallies running safely and smoothly.
Click the images to see the posts
D EVENT ACTIVATIONS
One of the most impactful ways to recognise volunteers is by holding an activation at a motor sport event taking place in October. There are many ways you could include a volunteer recognition event and some suggestions are below to consider:
• Allow a volunteer to present a medal/trophy during an event. Give a deserving volunteer the honour of presenting a medal or trophy during the podium ceremony. This not only highlights their contribution but also places them at the heart of the celebration.
• Feature a “Volunteer of the Day” spotlight. Highlight one or more volunteers each day of the event through announcements, programmes, social media posts or features at the venue.
• Host a dedicated recognition ceremony. Organise a short ceremony during a break in the event schedule to publicly thank volunteers, distribute certificates or small gifts and share stories of their impact.
• Offer behind-the-scenes access. Provide selected volunteers with a unique experience such as a pit lane walk, meet-andgreet with drivers or access to the race control room. Record any interactions like this and post on social media.
5. CALL TO ACTION
The most important part about FIA Volunteers and Officials Month!
When promoting the incredible work your network of volunteers and officials carry out, it’s really important to encourage more people to step forwards and support your events.
When posting on social media, include links or references to how new volunteers or officials can get involved. This could be a link to your website with information, a register of interest form or an email address for people to get in touch.
You could also hold ‘open day’ events inviting people to try out volunteering, practice flag marshalling or set up other interactive activities to give people a flavour of motor sport.
THANK YOU!
Member clubs dedicate a huge amount of time and resource to train volunteers, ensure each event is properly staffed and deliver a memorable and enjoyable time for volunteers and officials.
Thank you for everything you do year-round to support our armies of volunteers and officials. We hope you will embrace this month of thanks and appreciation and would like to reiterate our thanks for getting involved with this important opportunity for the motor sport community.
Please do get in touch if we can provide any further advice or support and we look forward to celebrating Volunteers and Officials Month with you in October.