How Emiratis and expats come together to help F1 fans

Across the majestic Yas Marina Circuit, where F1 cars, the masterpieces of engineering, vroom around the track under the heady mix of motorsport aficionados and Hollywood stars, you will notice young volunteers who are always ready to go the extra mile to make your Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix experience truly unforgettable.

- Rituraj Borkakoty [e-mail]

Volunteers pose at Yas Marina.

(EMIRATES FOUNDATION)

These volunteers form one of the quiet pillars of an event that draws F1 fans from across the world every year.

Having brought 350 British volunteers for the inaugural edition in 2009, the Abu Dhabi GP has taken giant strides since then, encouraging young Emiratis and expats to be part of the country's biggest sporting spectacle.

Today, Emirates Foundation, a government entity, provides more than 450 volunteers for the event at Yas Marina which will host the season finale on Sunday.

"Volunteers register on Volunteers.ae, shortlist themselves for the Formula One opportunity, and attend orientation," Mohammed Al Abbasi, Senior Projects Lead - Regional, Emirates Foundation, told the Khaleej Times.

A two-day training, which includes team-building activities and communication sessions, prepares the youngsters for the race weekend.