The Heart of Formula E: Celebrating the Champions Who Power Every Race
“I think every fan of our beloved electric cars should do it at least once, it’s great to see a category we love so much behind the scenes and have that good feeling at the end of the day that we helped the event happen” — Alice, 25-year-old volunteer at the São Paulo ePrix
Volunteers are the cornerstone of a Formula E event, and anyone who has attended a race has likely come into contact with them. As I learned from volunteer Alice, 2024 "was the first time that the volunteer process was held at the race in Brazil."
During race weekends, you see volunteers waving signs, assisting fans, distributing goodies, and supporting activities in the Fan Village. Alongside racing teams and Formula E staff, volunteers ensure that the fan experience is not only enjoyable but even possible.
But what is the experience like for the volunteers themselves? And what exactly do they do during a Formula E race weekend?
Formula E refers to its volunteer personnel as “Champions” or the “Champions Volunteer Team” — a fitting title for these dedicated individuals who work around 7 hours alongside the race track. Here’s an overview of the key volunteer roles:
At the heart of one of the most popular attractions in the Fan Village — the race simulators — Gaming Arena Champions guide fans on how to operate the simulators, assist with data collection, and manage crowds. This role is about delivering seamless fun and excitement.
These are the friendly faces that fans turn to for guidance. They ensure visitors have an unforgettable experience by offering knowledge, and enthusiasm. Their role is to create moments of connection and delight for fans of all ages.
These volunteers engage fans with games, educational activities, and sponsor activations in the Fan Village. They fuel curiosity and fun during non-race moments, ensuring everyone stays entertained.
Ceremonies Champions manage wristbands for driver autograph sessions and help orchestrate podium celebrations. They help build excitement and deliver magical, moments.
These volunteers promote Formula E’s sustainability mission by engaging with fans, educating them about eco-friendly practices, and advocating for an environmentally conscious future.
Insights Champions collect spectator feedback in the Fan Village, ensuring that fans’ voices are heard. Their work helps improve the experience for future races.
These volunteers inspire young girls (ages 12-18) by introducing them to careers in motorsport. They serve as mentors and advocate for diversity and inclusion.
These flexible volunteers are ready to step into any role needed, ensuring the event runs smoothly for fans and fellow volunteers alike.
Accessibility Champions assist spectators with special needs, ensuring every fan has an unforgettable experience.
These Champions capture the excitement behind the scenes. They produce TikToks, reels, and volunteer journey videos to showcase the energy and fun of volunteering at a Formula E event.
Volunteering at a Formula E event is an incredibly rewarding experience, but it’s important to set realistic expectations. While volunteers play essential roles in ensuring the event runs smoothly, opportunities to interact with drivers or team members are limited. As Alice explained:
“we didn’t have contact with the team members and drivers as we only stayed in the fanzone area”
Most volunteer roles focus on enhancing the fan experience in the Fan Village and public areas. If you’re applying with hopes of meeting drivers, it’s good to know that this isn’t typically part of the volunteer experience. However, the chance to contribute to the event, engage with fans, and be part of the electric atmosphere makes volunteering truly worthwhile.
“I loved the experience, [...] it was my first time volunteering in motorsport and I almost didn’t sleep from anxiety.”
Alice worked as an Insights Champion, collecting feedback from attendees in the Fan Zone:
“all the people were very nice, some didn’t want to answer at the moment and others responded right away”
With her background in marketing and events, she understands the value of feedback:
“I know the importance of feedback to improve the experience and I saw how much this edition has improved on the previous two and I’m very happy to see Formula E’s efforts to gain more audiences in Brazil”
Even though she didn’t get the Content Champion role she initially had hoped for, Alice enjoyed her time volunteering and plans to do it again.
Are you curious about what it's like to volunteer at a Formula E event? The “Formula E Volunteers” TikTok account offers short behind-the-scenes videos. They capture fun moments that come with volunteering. It’s a fantastic way to see how these Champions contribute to the success of every race weekend—and how much fun they are having while doing it.
The timeline up to the event for a volunteer:
Applications are currently open for the upcoming races in Jeddah and Miami. More locations will open for applications closer to the respective race dates.
You can apply here to join the incredible volunteer team that makes Formula E races so extraordinary for everyone!
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