The 2025 System 1® Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is ready to be the biggest version within the occasion’s 17-year historical past, with a record-breaking crowd anticipated throughout Yas Marina Circuit and Etihad Park and a packed leisure roster throughout the 4 days from December 4 to 7. To ship a weekend of this scale, Ethara brings collectively greater than 40,000 folks engaged on floor throughout the occasion.
Greater than 1,500 volunteers kind a part of this on-ground workforce, supporting visitor expertise operations all through race week. Volunteers be a part of by means of a number of companions throughout the UAE, together with Emirates Basis, whose programmes have supported the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix since 2009. This yr, 70 % of their volunteers are Emirati and 30 % expats, and they’re typically the primary level of contact for arriving followers, helping with visitor providers, accessibility assist and multilingual steering.
For a lot of, volunteering has turn out to be a defining annual milestone. Some have grown with the programme from their late teenagers into management roles, growing abilities in crowd administration, hospitality and group operations. Others describe the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix as a chance to contribute to the group whereas gaining first-hand expertise of one of many world’s most iconic sporting occasions.
Amongst returning Emirati volunteers is Ahmad Al Musaabi, 24, who joined the programme at 19 and now returns for his fifth season. “This occasion may be very important for the area and for the nation. Yearly is a brand new expertise, and I be taught extra in three or 4 days than in a complete yr. Seeing totally different cultures supporting their favorite groups in a secure area, smiling and joking collectively, is a reminiscence that stays with me and is what motivates me to come back again yearly.”
Equally, Alia Salem Al Ajeel first participated as a pupil and now returns as a group chief, reflecting the programme’s evolution right into a platform for private improvement and nationwide delight. Girls make up almost 70 % of this yr’s volunteer group, a development that has held regular during the last three years. Her journey mirrors the broader trajectory of the volunteer ecosystem, which continues to draw younger contributors from each emirate.
This rising nationwide engagement is echoed by Mohammed Al Abbasi, Senior Tasks Lead at Emirates Basis, who has overseen the partnership for greater than 16 years and has seen the programme evolve right into a nationwide level of delight. “System One is likely one of the most engaging alternatives. We see college college students, authorities staff and volunteers from each emirate becoming a member of every year. The group turns into like household and volunteers love giving again,” he stated.
Ethara’s Visitor Expertise and Operations groups work carefully with Emirates Basis and different companions all year long to coach, transient and assist volunteers to make sure seamless coordination throughout Yas Marina Circuit and Yas Island. Throughout race week, between 250 and 300 volunteers from Emirates Basis assist crowd movement, visitor interactions, accessibility help and operational wants. Almost three quarters of all volunteers are aged between 18 and 25, reflecting a rising, youthful and nationally numerous group contributing to one of many area’s most important sporting and leisure moments.