Faten Hasan Amin becomes first Bahraini female Clerk of the Course for F3

TDT | Manama                                                      

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Report by Zahra Ayaz

Bahraini motorsport official Faten Hasan Amin made history at the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2024.

She became the first-ever female Clerk of the Course (COC) from the Kingdom for the FIA Formula 3 Championship, the official third rung on the motorsport ladder to F1.

In an exclusive interview with The Daily Tribune, Faten shared her thoughts on her new role and expressed her pride in representing Bahrain.

She shed light on the significant responsibilities that come with her position. “It is like being the main head in charge of taking care of all the marshals and ensuring the safety of the track, drivers, and marshals,” Faten expressed, emphasising the weight of her role as COC. Communication is a critical aspect of her duties.

“It is a huge step for anyone to be in this position, as you have to communicate not only with the marshals but also with the race directors, who in turn are in charge of communicating with the teams and race stewards,” she explained.

“For instance, in Formula 1, you have FIA [Federation Internationale de l’Automobile] personnel, so you are directly communicating with them and ensuring that all messages are conveyed correctly.

Example

Highlighting the collaborative nature of her role, Faten provided an example of the different marshal categories.

“On the track side, we have four categories: senior marshals who lead the team, observer marshals who report any unusual incidents, flag marshals who manage signalling, and intervention marshals who assist in clearing the track or moving vehicles.

As the COC, I am responsible for overseeing all the marshals.” Managing the F3 category this year, Faten acknowledged the challenge of handling young and ambitious drivers.

“Managing their aggression and ensuring safety is a challenge,” she said. Faten’s journey in the field of marshalling began in 2005 when she started as an observer.

She gradually climbed the ranks, becoming a chief observer and eventually a senior marshal leading a team. Her dedication and capabilities did not go unnoticed.

“Last year, I received the Best Chief Observer award from the FIA, a global recognition,” Faten recalled.

“I am honoured to be the first Bahraini woman to receive this award.

I hope my success inspires other Bahraini women to pursue this path.”

Challenges

Speaking about the challenges she faced as a woman in a male-dominated field, Faten candidly admitted: “I faced challenges, especially in the beginning when motorsport was not well-known in the region.

It was not considered normal for a woman to be doing what was traditionally seen as a male job or leading a team of men. However, with time, the situation has improved.”

Faten extended an invitation to motorsport enthusiasts. “For anyone passionate about the running of the motorsport field, we welcome them and provide training,” she explained.

“Being a marshal can provide valuable skills and be a great addition to their career.”

As Bahrain celebrates its 20th anniversary in Formula 1, Amin expressed her joy at the milestone.

“We are very proud to be part of this achievement, and we hope to witness more races and have more marshals, whether they are volunteers or part of Bahrain International Circuit (BIC). We will always welcome them.”