In Madrid, they are training marshals for work at the Grand Prix.

      Antonio López-Tulla is an experienced Spanish specialist who holds the position of coordinator of sports programs at the racetrack in Jarama, located near Madrid. He also oversees the marshal service that works at races of various levels held at the Circuito de Madrid Jarama, and this service will perform the same functions, primarily ensuring safety at the upcoming Spanish Grand Prix on the new MadRing track.

      "We have always had strong traditions when it comes to how the work of marshals and other services is organized at our racetrack," López-Tulla told Diario AS in an interview. "But since it was announced that the Grand Prix would take place in Madrid, the number of people wanting to join our service has significantly increased. Last year, we doubled the number of vacancies; for example, at the Formula E race that recently took place at our racetrack, we had 220 marshals working.

      Our racetrack is responsible to the Spanish motorsport federation for the sports organization and safety at the upcoming Formula 1 race. All the marshals we send to the Spanish Grand Prix will work at several races this year; we do not intend to send inexperienced people there.

      To qualify for the Formula 1 race, one must complete a special training course, which is provided by the national federation, but we also conduct training ourselves, after which a person is entrusted to work as a marshal at our racetrack. Then they must gain experience at several races, demonstrate determination – they will train and feel their responsibility.

      It is important to understand that they are all volunteers, so their love for motorsport should be the main motivation. The fact that they will be working at a Formula 1 race in Madrid can serve as an additional motivational factor.

      As the race date approaches, a series of seminars will be held under the FIA's auspices, focusing on more specific issues. For example, the evacuation of a Formula 4 car from the track is not done the same way as the evacuation of a Formula E racing electric car. Additionally, our marshals practice firefighting skills throughout the year. It is crucial for the volunteers we send to Madrid to know how to act correctly in different situations.

      I have been working at our racetrack for over 20 years; regulations change, racing technology evolves, and approaches to driving it change, but the FIA's priority remains the same: safety is paramount. Since we will be working at a completely new racetrack, there are particular challenges. Although the FIA has preliminary plans, we have not yet studied this track and do not know which sections have the highest risk of accidents.

      The track is built in the city, so we need to work hard to develop detailed safety plans, including evacuation procedures, and it is essential to have clear actions in case a helicopter needs to be used. All this work is already underway, and there should be no problems, even if the racetrack is entirely new."

      The race in Madrid will take place in mid-September, but the future racetrack is currently a huge construction site. However, both the city authorities of the Spanish capital and the promoters of the Spanish Grand Prix assure that the work is on schedule and everything will be ready on time.