Background formula 1 Motorsport

How does being a Formula One volunteer work?

Becoming a volunteer at major sporting events in the Netherlands is through EventMakers. This is an agency that specializes in recruiting and deploying volunteers. Through them you can apply for all kinds of functions around Formula 1, ranging from visitor service and ticket control to catering and entertainment. The idea is simple: you put in a few hours a day, and in return you get access to the event, a place on the crew camping and often extras such as food and drinks. So you’re right in the middle of the Formula 1 experience, without the high cost of a regular ticket.

My experience volunteering at Formula One

For me, it was now the third time I had volunteered at Formula 1 at Zandvoort. This year I arrived as early as Thursday evening, to pitch my tent at the crew campsite. There you stay with hundreds of other volunteers, now friends, in the middle of the dunes. It immediately gives you the feeling of being part of the team.

During those three days, I worked in visitor services, checking tickets at the entrance to a dune area. The special thing? You literally stand right next to the track and experience the atmosphere up close. While doing my job, I heard and saw the race cars and thousands of fans passing by.

How much freedom do you have as a volunteer?

You don’t have to work all day. The shifts are divided into shifts: either in the morning, or in the afternoon. With any luck, you will be conveniently assigned so that you can watch large parts of the Formula 1 program during your off hours.

In addition, as a volunteer you get an accreditation that gives you access to many areas. In my case, that meant that outside of my shifts, I could also just wander the dunes and enjoy the atmosphere. And as icing on the cake: there were even grandstand tickets available for the race itself, so you could watch the action from the best seats.

The benefits at a glance

• Free admission to the event.

• Crew camping close to the track – affordable and cozy.

• Unique behind-the-scenes experience.

• You meet many new people who are equally enthusiastic.

A realistic picture

Being a volunteer also means working, of course. You stand a lot, make long days, you have responsibilities and sometimes you miss part of the program. You have less freedom than a regular visitor, but in return you get a special experience that you won’t easily get with a normal ticket. And, you’re a lot cheaper.

So, should you volunteer at Formula One?

Would you like to experience Formula 1 in Zandvoort without spending hundreds of euros? Then becoming a volunteer is the solution. You experience the Grand Prix up close, contribute to one of the biggest events in the Netherlands and also have the chance to be part of the action.

Enneh, this is your last chance. As Jan Lammers explained in our podcast, there will be no F1 race in Zandvoort after 2026 for the time being.