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‘Significant danger’: Grand prix organisers admit security failures after fans invade track
By Ian Ransom
Stewards have ordered Australian Grand Prix organisers to urgently produce a remediation plan after a large group of spectators invaded the track during the Formula 1 race at Albert Park on Sunday.
Spectators managed to break through security and access the track toward the end of the race, with some reaching the car driven by Haas’ Nico Hulkenberg as it was parked at the exit of turn two.
Fans scale the fence and enter the track at Albert Park.Credit: AP
“All of this presented significant danger to the spectators; race officials and the drivers,” stewards said in a statement issued by the governing FIA.
The Australian Grand Prix Corporation fronted stewards and admitted to the safety and security failures, agreeing it was an “unacceptable situation that could have had disastrous consequences”.
Fans could be seen climbing trackside barriers.
Organisers were told to provide a formal remediation plan to address the failures, including a review of the marshals protecting Hulkenberg’s car.
Stewards also requested that the FIA refer the incident to the governing body’s World Motor Sports Council to determine whether penalties should be applied.
The grand prix corporation asked to have until June 30 to submit its review.
Meanwhile, a Formula 1 fan was left bleeding after being hit by flying debris from a car at Sunday’s Australian Grand Prix.
Will Sweet was standing on a packed hill just off turn two when Magnussen’s car hit the barriers, sending his tyre and debris flying into the air.
Will Sweet was hit by flying car debris at the grand prix.
Organisers said a crowd of 131,124 attended Albert Park for Sunday’s race and a record total of 444,631 spectators across the race week.
Reuters
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