Not all of the 1,000-plus Motorsport Australia Officials available at the FORMULA 1 QATAR AIRWAYS AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX 2026 are from within Australian borders.
The international officials who volunteer their time to attend the event play a pivotal role, adding a substantial boost in manpower to create a more efficient and knowledgeable officials group.
In 2026, 57 officials have arrived Down Under to provide their skills from overseas.
Of the international volunteers, almost every continent on the planet is being represented by officials.
The countries in which officials are being represented include Austria, Brazil, Finland, India, Italy, Korea, New Zealand the Phillipines, Romania, Sri Lanka, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.
However, the crown for the country most-represented at this year’s Australian Grand Prix is Singapore.
The small island country located in Southeast Asia has provided 16 officials for the event.
Among them are travellers Sharon Law, Desmond Ho and Rachel Chung, with the latter two participating in their first Formula 1 event in Australia.
Ho was attracted to attending this year’s Grand Prix to immerse himself in a new environment.
“It’s quite interesting actually as the Australian team of officials actually helped set up the first Singapore Grand Prix in 2008, so it’s good to see how the Australians operate,” Ho said.
“It’s almost a bit like a learning experience for me, but the Australian Grand Prix is a very well respected event in Formula 1 and to be here to experience it for the first time is really great.
“My favourite part about being a part of a Grand Prix is the people. I enjoy bouncing ideas of others and working together with others as a team.”
The 2026 Australian Grand Prix is the third instalment of the event Law will attend, after last making her way down to Melbourne back in 2017.
“I always wanted to come back for another Grand Prix, so somehow the schedules this year aligned for me,” Law said.
“I wanted to come back last year, but I wasn’t able to register, so it’s good to get here this year.
“I’m so excited to see the cars and see how different they are this year with all of the new regulations.”
The three visitors have spent several Singapore Grand Prix working alongside each other in the same sector, but this weekend the three will be in slightly different trackside roles.
Desmond will be working in the Recovery Team this weekend, while Sharon and Rachel will both be within the Flag Marshalling Team, albeit in different sectors.
For Rachel, attending her first Australian Grand Prix has been a terrific experience so far, one she hopes will continue through the weekend.
“I feel like it’s been a bit of a wonderland,” Chung said.
“I can’t say for certain it’s solely from being here at Albert Park, but I think being in a new country entirely has made this a very fun visit for me.
“Everyone has been very friendly as well, making me feel welcome. It’s just great.”
More on how to become a Motorsport Australia Official can be found on the website.
