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SINGAPORE: Formula One may be a male dominated sport, but interestingly almost one-third of those who signed up to be marshals for the Singapore race are women.
In fact, women make up 250 of the 900 marshals selected. Even at the senior official level, 10 of the 80 are female.
Lynn Tan, one of the senior officials, is an architect by profession. She has a passion for motor sports since young, so she jumped at the chance when Singapore won the rights to host its first F1 race.
The 30-year-old has already gone for two stints overseas, including the recent Australian Grand Prix - where she learned more than just the nuts and bolts of the job.
"(What) I have also learned from the Australians is the team spirit. (That is)... what keeps them coming back as volunteers year after year. It's not just the sport but also the people. You know, they have made friends of 10, 20 years, that's what keeps them coming back," she said.
While in Australia, Ms Tan saw quite a few women marshals.
She said besides being physically and mentally demanding, the marshals have to clock in 12-hour shifts.
While Singapore is building its core group of marshals and officials, around 70 to 80 key officials will be brought in from Australia to run the show because the organisers want to ensure that everything runs smoothly at Singapore's inaugural Formula One race.
Ms Tan said: "The plan is - for the first year... because they come with lots of experience in organising... the Australian Grand Prix, they will actually assume... the (so-called) chief role."
In the second year, the Australians will assume the deputy role and oversee the Singaporeans, who will take complete charge in year three.
Ms Tan said future training sessions will be conducted by the Australians in Singapore. - CNA/ac
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