MY WEEKEND AS A PIT MARSHAL IN THE MEXICAN GP
I have always loved Formula 1, but it was until a few years ago that I started getting involved in it. One of my first experiences was during an internship in the organization and entertainment department and everything felt perfect. But becoming a marshal was surreal.
Everything began when I saw a photo on Instagram in which they were reclutTing marshals. I knew I wanted to be in the PITS área but I had heard it was one of the most difficult zones to apply to. Either way, I wasn’t going to let that stop me.
It all began around April or May in which I had to register myself on a website. There they we be updating us about when the courses began and if we had abilities to pass the first selection process. Around July, 4 months before the Mexican Grand Prix, we started our training. We hada ll types of courses form fire to safety to COVID regulations even. We also had to do a psychometric test which is very important to work under pressure.
The tests and courses were divided by stages and from each stage a few people would be eliminated. Then they started quizzing us and asked us which area did we want to belong to, I of course chose PITS. I knew it was the hardest area to apply for, especially as a women, but I didn’t care. This was definitely going to be challenging but I had to make it.
The first practice came, it was the fire practice. By now they had already told us we were the last contenders to make it to PITS. It was 31 of us and not even half were going to make. I saw the trainers kept approaching a guy and it was clear he would make it to the team. I kept on making a huge effort and the practice which was quite intense, we had to carry fire extinguishers, put out a burning car, position a car on the telehandler, etc. We started so early and left past 4:00pm.
The next day they sent us an email for our participation. I thought it was over, I mean it made sense, in the real world, whenever you apply for a job and they thank you it’s because you didn’t get it. Well here, they were literally thanking us for our participation. The next day, I received another email in which they told me to which group I would belong to. I covered the email and read line by line, I was so nervous. And then when I go to two words that were written in bold letters, it said: PIT MARSHALS. I was shocked and reread the whole email again, I couldn’t believe it. So eventually I started crying.
We had to take a few more courses and practices before the big day but now in our specialized category. We formally me our trainers, they told us the rules like ‘no taking potos or videos while working’, etc. We were on pits after all and it was in the Red Zone category so they also put us in a COVID bubble two weeks before the race.
The day to go to Mexico City finally came and our Schedule went a Little bit like this:
Wednesday:
- We got our PCR test to prove we didn’t have COVID. Only people in the Red Area took this test.
- They gave us our accreditation.
- They gave us our vest.
Thursday:
- The PITS team (which was divided into three groups: Marshals [me], firefighters, and control) had to start working this day.
- A few of the drivers went to check their cars, get to know the track, sign autographs. We had to make sure people wouldn’t jump fences, watch out for the drivers, the garages, and get the Schedule for what the next three days would be like for us.
- We got out uniforms this day. A yellow overall with a rocker Mexican skull on the back celebrating the day of the dead. A classic Mexican celebration that happen on November 2nd, which is always the weekend when the Mexico GP is. This season is got moved a week after.
- I got to see so many drivers like Charles Leclerc, Carlos Sainz, Nikita Mazepin, Yuki Tsunoda, Esteban Gutierrez, Daniil Kvyat, Mick Schumacher, George Russell, Pato O’Ward, etc.
- They le tus choose out garaje this day and I chose to assist Ferrari all day, which is my favorite team.
Friday:
It was the real deal now!
- P1 & P2 were held this day as well as supporting categories.
- Fort he supporting categories, we would relay each other. The team got divided into four and we would each go to a different category so the rest of us could rest a Little bit.
- For Formula 1 sessions, the whole PITS team had to be present on PITS and that’s when P1 (Valtteri took the lead) & P2 (Max took the lead) took place.
- This day they put me between McLaren and Aston Martin for P1.
- And between Alfa Romeo and Alpha Tauri for P2.
Saturday:
This was such a thrilling day. It was P3 and Classification Day. On this day my spot was between Haas and Alfa Romeo. Alfa Romeo was always the most pumped garaje, they had high volumen music at all times.
- This day they put me between the Williams and Haas garage so when I was set in Williams, I saw George Russell and Nicholas Latifi coming out to take photos with their helmets.
- During P3, I was very close to the PITS Exit. Checo Perez took the lead for this practice and the crowd just went wild!
- During qualis, Lance Stroll crashed on the first lap so the drivers had to do a formation lap. I got Lewis Hamilton’s car right next to me and this earned me a mini appearance on TV.
- When I was set on Haas, for P2, the Haas team was out since P1 so Nikita Mazepin was hanging out in his garaje the whole time and eventually Mick came to join Guenther in the analysis box to watch the practice. That’s right! I was standing right next to Guenther Steiner. I think he’s the one I freaked out the most seeing, I got so excited haha.
- By the end of quali, the Mercedes team was killing it: Valtteri (POLE), Lewis (2nd), Max (3rd). Mexicans were bummed for Checo. But we knew during race day, things would be different.
- Valtteri was lucky enough to receive a replica of Juan Manuel Fangio’s 70 years in the sport. No other driver has it.
Sunday:
The BIG day came and my energy levels were as up as they’ve ever been! 20 PIT Marshals were sent to the grid and the other 14 of us felt completely bummed. Then one of the trainers put us to the side and let us know that we were going to be a part of the podium ceremony. That made me even happier than anything.
- Support categories went first and I got to be on the grid for Formula 4. My driver started on the 5th position and ended on the podium on 3rd. I was so happy for him.
- When race time came along, we each had to take our positions. My spot was going to be at the end of McLaren were Red Bull begins. But then one of the trainers stopped me to tell me I was going to be at the PITS Entrance measuring the drivers’ velocity to check they wouldn’t pass 80 while entering the PITS. I honestly felt like I was given a responsability during the race and this made me tear up a bit once again.
- Waiting for the cars to start racing it made me realize I was part of something so big. I felt so emotional the whole weekend but especially during Race Day.
- A few of us officers were near FIA so they came to take pictures with us.
- I couldn’t really watch the race per say since I had to be concentrated on cars entering the pit lane. But once I got relayed, I was able to watch the race from where I was standing and staring to the screen from time to time. I got so focused on Checo, and his battle with Lewis Hamilton was just explosive! But he ended on the podium either way! He broke history and I was a part of it. First Mexican to be on the podium in his home country. I teared up once again of course haha.
- The extra 14 officers, we went to the podium celebration and after the race we had lunch, cleared our places and we left.
- I got to go to a little F1 party while we waited for the bus to arrive.
- And during the night I went to have dinner with two of the oficial F1 photographers and after that with my Friends at a restaurant where I ended bumping into George Russell and Alex Albon.
My weekend couldn’t have been more perfect. It’s an experience I would definitely repeat and highly recommend to anyone who wants to not only go to Formula 1, but become a part of it.
- Manena
This experience must be amazing 🔥🔥🏎️🏎️