New South Wales-based official George Chrobak has been named the 2023 FIA Best Track or Road Marshal as part of the FIA’s prestigious Prize Giving Ceremony in Baku.
 
Over a stellar 40-year career as a circuit official, Chrobak has gone from a young, inspired junior flag marshal to a regular Chief Marshal at the pinnacle of Australian motorsport, the Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix.
 
The passionate and selfless volunteer has also spent a large portion of his time in the sport training the next generation of officials via the Motorsport Australia National Officiating Program or with the International Training Team, making him a worthy winner of the 2023 award.
 
Chrobak now joins an esteemed list of previous Australians honoured at the Ceremony, having also been a significant part of the Australian Grand Prix team that was awarded the FIA Best Team of Officials in 2020.
 
“I’m extremely humbled by this award and would like to sincerely thank those who thought of me and nominated me,” Chrobak said.
 
“I do understand that this is a major international FIA award and to be part of a select group of special Aussie marshals who have been bestowed a similar award is a bit difficult to comprehend – it will take a bit of time to happily sink in.
 
“I was so surprised and taken aback when I received a call informing me that I had been nominated for this year’s FIA Officials award. However, that quickly changed to major overwhelm when I was told the FIA had actually chosen me as the recipient.
 
“Not only was it a huge surprise to be part of the award back in 2020, but it was a fantastic honour to play a key role in leading a large team of keen, dedicated volunteer officials who are some of the best in the world.”
 
Chrobak first got involved in the sport after being inspired by watching events at Amaroo Park and Bathurst in the 1970s before joining the Junior ARDC while he was in school.
 
He then officially joined the sport in 1980, starting out as a trainee flag marshal at Oran Park and volunteering as much as he could over the next few years, eventually working his way to more senior trackside roles by the end of the decade.

In the early 1990s, he played a role in helping develop Motorsport Official Training in NSW, while also participating in the program during its infancy – eventually being recognised for his efforts in 1994 when he was named the NSW State Official of the Year.
 
In the 2000s, Chrobak first represented Motorsport Australia as part of the International Training Team to help train Bahrain officials for their Formula 1 Grand Prix, while being also part of the Singapore, South Korea, and Qatar F1 training programs.
 
On home soil, he has attended more than 40 Bathurst 1000 events where he has had the role of Senior Chief Flag Marshal at more than half, as well as performing various leadership roles of Chief Spectator, Track, Flag, and Sector Marshal over the past few decades, while holding the position of Chief Marshal at the past two Australian Grand Prix.
 
“I feel at peace with the award, knowing the FIA had taken all my senior officiating roles, contributions, and performances over a number of years into account in coming to their decision,” Chrobak added.
 
“A major thanks is owed to the wider group of passionate Aussie motorsport volunteers who week in, week out, give a decent amount of their heart and soul to keep the wheels turning in the right direction for events big and small across the country.
 
“To be part of such a worldwide community of friends and acquaintances with a common interest is one of the great joys of life. Any award is icing on the cake, but I must admit it’s an awesome cake.”
 
While Chrobak was unable to attend the official ceremony, there were a few other Australians who did make it out and were recognised for their remarkable efforts in 2023.
 
Formula 1 first-year driver Oscar Piastri was named as the Rookie of the Year for the second time, having first won the award back in 2021. 

Piastri received the award following an impressive debut season in the premier category of motorsport, picking a sprint race victory, multiple podiums and a pair of fastest laps – ultimately ending the year in ninth on the standings.

Victorian James Wharton and Queenslander Jack Beeton also received silverware for winning their respective championship titles, with Wharton taking out the Formula 4 UAE Championship and Beeton the 2023 Formula 4 South East Asia title.

In addition to the four circuit drivers, West Australian rally co-driver Ben Searcy was also recognised in Baku for winning the 2023 FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship alongside Rifat Sungkar of Indonesia.

With Formula 2 race winner Jack Doohan and Motorsport Australia President Andrew Fraser also at the ceremony, Fraser praised all award recipients for their successful campaigns.
 
“It’s a wonderful achievement by all three individuals, and I am extremely proud to see multiple Australians represented at the ceremony,” Fraser said.
 
“A congratulations must first go out to George for receiving the 2023 FIA Best Track or Road Marshal – he is a highly deserving winner who has been a long-time stalwart of our sport and has contributed greatly over a four-decade period.
 
“While it is a fantastic achievement for him, it further illustrates how highly Australian volunteer officials are regarded, and the fact that we continue to be recognised at an international level as the best in the world reflects the quality of our motorsport officials.
 
“As for the drivers, a big congratulations to them for their respective international seasons – a lot of hard work goes into racing against some of the best around our region and the world.
 
“All drivers and their success are a reflection of the vast talent coming out of Australia and how we are growing as a competitive force in a range of competitions.”

FIA Awards for Motorsport Australia Officials
2023 FIA Best Track or Road Marshal of the Season: George Chrobak
2022 FIA Senior Official of the Year: Christopher McMahon
2021 FIA Senior Official of the Year: Henk van den Dungen
2020 FIA Best Team of Officials of the Season: Australian Grand Prix Officials Team
2019 FIA Best Track or Road Marshal of the Season: Robert Thiry
2018 Best Chief Medical Officer Official of the Season: Dr Matthew Croxford
2018 FIA Best Chief Scrutineer Official of the Season: Barry Habgood
2017 Outstanding Official of the Season: Roger Chirnside
2016 Best Doctor of the Season: Dr Brent May
2015 Best Marshal of the Season: Belinda Taylor
2014 Best Senior Official of the Season: Adrian Stafford
2013 Best Scrutineer of the Season: Ewan Cole
2013 Best Doctor of the Season: Dr Rik Hagen
2012 Best Senior Official of the Season: Steve Chopping
2011 Outstanding Senior Official of the Season: Dr Michelle Gatton