"It's important they mix with us" - F1 drivers and teams honour the motorsport volunteers

The F1 drivers turned out in force on Friday after Free Practice to celebrate the tens of thousands of volunteers who give their time for free to staff motorsport events around the world.

The new initiative, dubbed FIA Volunteers Day on 11th May, is being celebrated at other motorsport events and in Barcelona the drivers joined thousands of volunteers for a photograph.

All of the track workers at major motorsport events, such as marshals, pit lane marshals, safety and flag marshals, doctors and medical staff are volunteers and without them major motorsport events would not take place.

JA on F1 spoke to one marshal, Dany from Barcelona (above) who said, "It makes me feel good, It's important that the drivers come with us and mix with the people who volunteer.

"I'm a pit box marshal. I volunteer because I love the sport, I love the cars, the smell, the people. I've been doing it for 11 years."

Kimi Raikkonen was one of the first drivers to arrive and mix with the volunteers, along with Felipe Massa and Sergio Perez, while Daniel Ricciardo was the last driver to leave the grid, staying for selfies and to sign many shirts and hats.

"We wouldn’t be able to go racing without the volunteers and it’s something that isn’t so visible to the public that with the many devoted and engaged people, all around the world on the racetracks, they enable us to put on a show, so it’s definitely a good little exercise to honour them," said Mercedes boss Toto Wolff.

Force India boss Robert Fernley added, "Without doubt they are the unsung heroes of motor racing across the board, not just for Formula One.

"We must remember that they do great work outside Formula One, which we’re very focused on. I think people forget that weekend-in, weekend-out they’re there, so great honour."

What do you think of the initiative? Have you volunteered at a motorsport event? Leave your experiences below in the comments section