The promoter of the Australian Grand Prix has been found to have seriously breached FIA security protocols and safety measures after Formula 1 fans invaded the track before the race finished.
In an unusual step, The Australian Grand Prix Corporation was formally summoned to the stewards after the conclusion of a chaotic third round of the 2023 world championship that was red flagged three times.
A fourth red flag was shown after Max Verstappen’s Red Bull took the checkered flag after “a large group of spectators managed to break through the security lines and access the track while the race was still ongoing,” according to the explanation of the FIA.
In addition, fans were able to get to Nico Hulkenberg’s stranded Haas that he parked on the exit of Turn 2 after finishing seventh, which the stewards said “still had its flashing red light (meaning the car was in an unsafe condition with possible electric shock” .
Fans at the end of the race.
Photo by: Lionel Ng / motoring images
It found that the event organizers breached Article 12.2.1.h of the FIA ​​International Sporting Code and requested that the promoter “urgently submit a formal remediation plan to the FIA.”
The stewards stated that “the security measures and protocols that were expected to be in place for the Event were not applied, resulting in an unsafe environment for spectators, drivers and race officials” and stated that the matter would be referred to World Motor. Sport Council “for further investigation to determine whether additional action or sanctions need to be taken beyond the remediation plan.”
It comes after spectators infiltrated the circuit on the cool-down lap after the 2017 Australian Grand Prix.
The AGPC investigation, which will consider existing protocols to examine how the track break occurred and how fans were able to gain access to Hulkenberg’s car in an unsafe state, will be reviewed by the FIA ​​and carried out in consultation with police. regional.
The promoter requested that he be given until June 30, 2023 to carry out his investigation, although the stewards stated that this will need to be approved by the FIA.
