Decision imminent on Melbourne F1 Grand Prix fan traditions

Fan traditions at the Melbourne Grand Prix that were banned last year amid safety and security fears may be flagged to start-up again next year, with the outcome of talks to be revealed shortly.

Melbourne Grand Prix chiefs have set a Christmas deadline to decide whether the popular post-race practice of fans spilling onto the Albert Park circuit will ever return.

Fans were this year banned from stepping onto pit lane once the chequered flag was waved, in response to a dangerous spectator invasion at last year’s event.

The Australian Grand Prix Corporation was hauled before the sport’s governing body to explain the safety breach which saw spectators skip security and make their way onto the track while cars were still on the circuit.

The FIA also launched a safety probe into the incident, finding the corporation in breach of its International Sporting Code and ordering remediation plans that saw unprecedented security trackside for this year’s event.

Melbourne Grand Prix chief Travis Auld told the Herald Sun a decision about the traditional track walk would be made in coming weeks.

“It’s still being discussed,” he said.

Fans invade the track after the Melbourne Formula 1 Grand Prix. Picture: Fox News

The invasion involved a safety breach which saw spectators skip security and make their way onto the track while cars were still on the circuit. Picture: 7News

“We obviously didn’t have a post-race track walk this year and we said we would assess it at the end of the year.

“It was very successful this year but in saying that we’ve had post-race walks for a whole number of years and other than 2023 it has been a really big part of the event.”

A heavy security presence patrolled the track this year, signs were posted that warned fans not to enter the track and fines of more than $17,000 were threatened for anyone breaching the rules.

Fans were even sent text messages to remind them they were banned from flooding the circuit to watch the driver’s podium celebrations.

The Herald Sun was this year told F1 wants the track walk out of the sport globally and Melbourne could be the start of that process.

Racing fans at the 2017 Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park. Picture: Ian Currie

But Mr Auld said the tradition could still make a comeback at next year’s season opening Melbourne race.

“We’ll have a chat to the board at some stage in the coming months to see what the views are and whether there is an opportunity to reintroduce them,” he said.

“There is obviously a lot of work being done but you would want to have that decision made this side of Christmas, I would have thought.”

The 2023 track breach saw fans climb fences, run into danger zones before the race was finished and reach the stranded car of driver Nico Hulkenberg which was still powered up and under flashing lights.

The Grand Prix attracts passionate racing enthusiasts. Picture: Ian Currie

A post-race stewards report determined the incident posed “significant danger to the spectators; race officials and the drivers”. Former Grand Prix chief executive Andrew Westacott said at the time it “could have been horrific”.

Organisers have rejected suggestions security officers had left the track open by clocking off when their rostered shifts ended, as the race finished later than scheduled due to a succession of delays.

Tickets to next year’s race sold out in less than an hour despite Ticketmaster bungling the public sales launch last week. Tickets to Saturday’s action also sold out amid unprecedented demand.

Originally published as Decision imminent on Melbourne F1 Grand Prix fan traditions