Australian GP: Formula 1: The 2023 Australian Grand Prix was filled with drama. The race had multiple safety car restarts and red-flag incidents, but it was the post-race events that have now caught the attention. Shocking visuals of fans breaching security and invading the track during the post-race cooldown lap were captured. Follow Formula 1 LIVE Updates with InsideSport.IN.
The incident saw fans climbing over fences and walking on the tarmac while the cars were still present. Stewards reported a large number of fans invaded the circuit while the cars were still on track. The situation was deemed unsafe for fans, drivers, and race officials, leading to a thorough investigation by the FIA into the incident.
The Australian Grand Prix Corporation’s CEO, Andrew Westacott, has promised a thorough investigation into the incident, stating that the situation could have become “horrific” at any moment. Westacott claims that there is a protocol that allows fans to enter the track, but it has to happen safely.
“We met with the FIA last night until late into the evening and we are going to conduct a thorough investigation. There’s a protocol that allows fans to enter the track, but it has to happen safely”, Westacott said.
🚨 BREAKING: The Australian Grand Prix Corporation has been summoned to the stewards over the spectator track invasion at the end of the race #F1 #AusGP pic.twitter.com/0Qv70UaKeG
— Autosport (@autosport) April 2, 2023
A fan also claimed that he suffered a cut to his arm when struck by a piece of debris from Kevin Magnussen’s car, putting Australian GP safety arrangements under scrutiny.
“It slapped me in the arm and I was just standing there bleeding. My arm was covering where my neck would’ve been, but if that had hit my fiancee, it would’ve got her right in the head”, a fan told radio station 3AW.
The FIA has demanded an explanation from AGPC for breaking the International Sporting Code’s Article 12.2.1.h. The body will need to submit a formal remediation plan as per the rules.
The Formula 1 will now take a 4-week break and will return on April 28 with Azerbaijan GP, with the main race taking place on April 30.
