Motorsport Marshals: The Unsung Heroes Behind the Scenes of Racing
- therookiereporters
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
Marshals play a vital role in the world of motorsports - but how much do you really know about their role?
When you see marshals out on track, they are unpaid volunteers who participate in motorsport events out of a true passion and love for the sport. They are easy to spot in their vibrant orange overalls and are positioned at different points on track, carrying out a multitude of tasks such as moving damaged vehicles and making sure the track is clear in between races. There are many different marshalling disciplines, including;
Trackside Marshals - these are the type of marshals you will usually see on TV! Trackside marshals play a critical role in making sure the track is clear in between races. This can involve recovering cars after an incident to moving them off of the track completely to a safe place. They also perform tasks such as clearing debris and gravel off of the circuit to ensure the race may continue safely.
Flag Marshals - Flag marshals are another subsection of marshals who have a more visible role. These marshals are the ones who give signals to the drivers. This can be waving a yellow flag when there is a hazard on the track and then waving a green flag once the track is clear again.
Paddock Marshals - marshals aren’t always just needed around the circuit itself; paddock marshals carry out many tasks off-track which are just as important as their on-track duties! These can include ensuring cars are correctly lined up in the assembly area before they head out onto the grid.
Pit Marshals - these marshals are based in the pit lane and are called into action when there is an incident in the pits - for example, a collision between two cars or a fire.
Startline Marshals - these are the marshals who ensure that all of the cars are lined up correctly on the starting grid. In the event that a driver stalls when the race begins, startline marshals are the ones who will spring into action to wave a yellow flag.
The variety of marshalling roles available really demonstrates just how vital marshals are to the world of motorsport. They work behind-the-scenes to ensure that fans, drivers and all in attendance at the track are able to enjoy racing without incident. Without marshals, there would be no safe way for racing to occur.
How do you become a marshal?
The easiest way to become a marshal is by signing up to a marshals’ club, such as the British Motorsport Marshals’ Club and taking part in a training day to learn the basics - the BMMC provides you with all of the training you need! Following participation in training, you can start your journey to marshalling in different disciplines including race, karting, rallying, and hillclimbs.
Additionally, if you want to upgrade from a Grade 1 to a Grade 2 marshal, you will need to consider the different requirements that exist, in terms of both attendance and training signatures. Marshals also need to start out at smaller racing events before progressing into bigger motorsport events such as Formula 1 or Le Mans.
Article written by Ria Wiktor ©️Ria Wiktor 2026
