Imagine standing so close to the famous Formula 1 track that the roar of the engines vibrates in your chest, the blistering speed of the cars blurring past you at over 200 miles per hour leave you with only seconds to catch a glimpse.
For most fans, that kind of proximity to the action feels like a dream, something reserved for the privileged few. But for an increasing number of Southern Nevadans, it’s becoming a reality, thanks to Formula 1’s Marshal Program.
A quick glance at the marshals—dressed in eye-catching orange jumpsuits—doesn’t reveal the true impact they have on the globally renowned sport. Their responsibilities span the entire race weekend, from signaling track conditions with flags to clearing debris from the course and helping extinguish fires after a crash.
With over 3,100 applications for this year’s program, including a record breaking 1,200-plus locals, the demand for these positions has never been higher.
Tanya Moore, an intervention marshal, started her journey years ago, after she’d received a terminal medical diagnosis.
“I’ve always been a fan of racing,” she says, “but I grew up in the deep South, and I never had the chance to go to races.”
It wasn’t until her daughter went off to college that Moore found the time and courage to dive into the world of motorsports. After volunteering with the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority during the F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix in 2023, she applied for the Marshal Training Program, determined to work closer to the action.
To prepare, Moore took courses through the Sports Car Club of America, where she honed skills in flagging and communication before landing a coveted position as an intervention marshal.
“When there’s a collision or debris or a driver in trouble, I wait for my chief and then go out and retrieve it,” says Moore. “I’m one of the ones you see running on the track, putting out fires.”
Despite her diagnosis, Moore’s passion for motorsports drives her forward. “If I die tomorrow, what would I regret not doing? And I’d regret not doing this, so that superseded all my anxiety,” she says.
Many other fans are equally eager to be involved. Silvia Bellot, vice president of sporting and race operations for the Vegas race, notes that local involvement is a cornerstone of this year’s event.
“There are a lot of people who love the sport and would love to be close to the action, but they don’t know how,” she says. “That’s why we created our Local Marshals Program.”
Bellot emphasizes the growing diversity of the marshals. “Twenty-six percent of our registered marshals are women, and that represents a 15% increase compared to 2020,” she says.
Of the 580 marshals selected this year, 120 are Southern Nevada residents, a major leap forward for local representation. Along with gaining newfound education and skills, those in the program receive compensation in the form of goods, services and subsidies for lodging at the official marshal host hotel.
“Marshals are the eyes and ears from race control,” says Bellot. “They are the ones in charge of providing a safe environment for both drivers and spectators. They are the unseen heroes of the sport.”
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