Safety remains the core pillar of motorsport, particularly motorsport officiating, and Motorsport Australia official Stephen Preece can be considered an expert in the subject.

Preece is one of Motorsport Australia’s longest-serving officials, with more than 50 years of experience dating back to 1973.

Perhaps just as impressive, Preece has attended the every single modern-day Australian Grand Prix bar one.

At this year’s FORMULA 1 QATAR AIRWAYS AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX 2026, Preece will fill the role of Track Safety and Officials Safety Manager.

In Preece’s words, the role entails being based on Turn 2, acting as an overseer to the rest of the the officials cohort and making sure all track sectors are in order and following procedure.

“We keep records of all that, but my role is to essentially assist Deputy Clerk of the Course David Stuart in relaying all necessary information related to track safety, as I am also a National Track Inspector,” Preece said.

“We’ll go around and audit the actual circuit and pass on any information to the engineers, we go through deficit reports every day and make sure thing things are corrected as needed.”

As is the case for all officials, Stephen started his officiating journey at the entry level.

Beginning as a flag marshal, Preece progressed to becoming an Assistant Clerk of the Course at Amaroo Park Raceway in New South Wales.

Preece became a Sector Marshal at the Australian Grand Prix in 1987, the same year current Deputy Clerk of the Course Lawrie Schmitt OAM began the same role.

More than a decade later, Preece became Assistant Clerk of the Course for the Grand Prix before circulating between roles up until today.

Also the Clerk of the Course for the Bathurst 1000 for more than 20 years, Preece enjoys joining the officials he is responsible for each year, welcoming returning and new officials alike.

“It’s a bit of a military exercise, the Australian Grand Prix, with how busy everything is, the officials being directed to their posts, how on time everything is, is remarkable,” Preece added.

“But it’s home, and it’s an event Australians are proud to host, and the officials that attend each year mark it in the calendar a year ahead of time.”

To become an official like Stephen, head to Motorsport Australia’s Officials page on the website.