Marshals play an important role in the organization and delivery of Formula 1 races all over the world. Marshals are also known as “Race Officials” in the world of Formula 1. They play particularly vital role in ensuring the safety of every Formula 1 driver racing on the track and providing administrative support for entire Marshals’ team.

By becoming a Marshal at different races, people have fun time, enjoy an opportunity to watch the competition from trackside locations and become an integral part of the event. Despite being a newly developed concept, Baku Marshals Club established by Baku City Circuit Operations Company is supporting all marshalling activities, including events, interviews and trainings, while at the same time helping build cooperative relationships with the many international Marshals’ Clubs operating around the globe today.

Depending on the duties they carry out, marshals are divided into the following groups:

Chief Sector Marshals

Each sector may contain one or more marshal posts and track points. Each Marshal post is made up of usually Observers, Flag Marshals, and Track Marshals. Fire Medical and Track Clearance(recovery) teams with their respective equipment and vehicles are also considered as a part of the sector. Chief Sector Marshals are the senior officials in their area of the track and have been delegated the responsibility for all activity in their Sector.

Track­ Marshals

These are the general marshals around the circuit based on each control post. Their duties include almost everything; including rescuing drivers, sweeping and clearing debris off the track, assisting Fire & Rescue marshals, assisting Track clearance or Recovery teams, pushing cars in trouble and cleaning up after an accident. The job description covers all these activities and more. It requires good judgment, common sense, teamwork, stamina, and experience.

Flag Marshals

Flag Marshals are officials appointed to each Marshal Post around the track to give flag signals to Race competitors in accordance with signals laid down by FIA regulations. Their main roles are to communicate with the driver by flagging; to warn the driver of any danger ahead; to stay on post during incidents to protect & ensure the safety of Marshals by advising of danger on track.

Digital Flag Marshals

Digi-Flag Marshals are positioned around the circuit. Digi-Flag panels supplement the traditional flag signals, using hand-held remote control, operated by Digi-Flag Marshal at each Marshals’ post. Basically, Digital Flag Marshal does the same job as regular Flag Marshal, the only difference is using display instead of an actual flag.

Fire and Rescue Marshals

These are trained Fire and Rescue personnel with extensive experience in Fire and Rescue. They are responsible for tackling any fire or rescue incident during the event. They are stationed all around the circuit on either side of the track, in Pit Lane and in Fire/Fast Intervention Vehicles (FIV) under the direction of Race Control & Chief Fire.

Medical Marshals

The medical service is under the exclusive direction of the Chief Medical Officer acting under the authority of the Clerk of the Course. This service consists of personnel (doctors, nurses etc.); equipment and vehicles providing a service for immediate track response, transportation of casualties, Medical Center, communications and pre-arranged specialist hospital facilities. Together they are available to provide any medical intervention during the event.

Scrutineering Marshals

These are the Scrutineers who are responsible to check all cars for safety and eligibility each day and to examine any car involved in accidents. The Chief Scrutineer and Assistant Chief Scrutineer work under the direction of the FIA Technical Delegate during the whole event. The Chief Scrutineer is responsible for ensuring that the relevant equipment required by the FIA Technical Delegate is available, i.e. Nitrogen, Helium, compressed air, weights etc.

Pit and Grid Marshals

These are the marshals who setup the starting grid before each event. They are also responsible for controlling vehicles and people in the Pit Lane during the event. They must maintain a clean and safe working area for the competitors and ensure the rules of the event are complied with. They are also responsible for tasks related to the Start and Finish towers, controlling the lights, penalty flags/signs etc.

Recovery Marshals

These are the tow truck teams and their assistants whose job is to recover the dead or immobile cars from around the circuit after each session or during the event. They have to return these vehicles to the paddock, pit lane or Scrutineering Bay.

Observers

These Marshals are more commonly known as Communicators or Observers. They are officials appointed at each Marshal post around the track and they observe all happenings around the circuit and report it to Race Control over a specific communications channel. Observers are the eyes and ears of the Clerk of the Course. At its simplest, that means they are responsible for submitting impartial reports on racing incidents which occur in their sector.

"To set Motorsport Marshalling Standards in The Region"

Baku Marshals Club is a fast growing organization with exact targets for future. Our main goal is to be Worldwide recognized and respected actor in the Motorsports world.

"Evolve Marshalling movement and expand this type of activity in Azerbaijan"

To reach our VISION Statement Goal and “To set Motorsport Marshalling Standards in the Region” we should become a strong actor and achieve sustainable growth of the Club within the country, thus to evolve this type of activity in Azerbaijan.