Organisers of the Australian Grand Prix have introduced that there might be no observe entry for followers at this yr’s Grand Prix.
The transfer follows an incident on the finish of final yr’s race when a big group of spectators managed to interrupt the safety traces and entry the observe whereas the race was nonetheless ongoing.
These followers have been in a position to attain Nico Hulkenberg’s stranded Haas, which was parked at exit of Flip 2 and which nonetheless had its gentle flashing crimson – i.e. the automotive was in an unsafe situation with potential electrical discharge – all of which, in accordance with the FIA, offered important hazard to the general public, race officers and drivers.
Moreover, it was subsequently revealed {that a} spectator was hit by particles following Kevin Magnussen’s encounter with the boundaries on the second restart of the afternoon, because the occasion grew to become more and more confused drawing extreme criticism from followers, drivers and crew bosses.
Nonetheless, it’s the truth that followers have been in a position to entry the observe through the prolonged delay forward of the ultimate restart, a breach of the Worldwide Sporting Code, that triggered the FIA to launch an investigation having warned that there should be no additional transgressions.
Nonetheless, there have been additional transgressions, not least on the Brazilian Grand Prix, the place followers ran on to the observe earlier than the end, whereas, considerably sarcastically, the FIA itself was in bother after a bunch of photographers was given entry to the Baku pit lane earlier than the race had ended.
At present, the Australian Grand Prix Organisation issued a quick assertion warning that followers won’t be allowed onto the observe in any respect this yr.
“The Australian Grand Prix Company advises that given the continued FIA investigation into the early observe breach on the conclusion of the 2023 occasion, there might be no observe entry for patrons following the Method 1 Roles Grand Prix,” it learn.
“Choices concerning patron entry to the observe on the conclusion of future races might be made at a later date.”
Followers operating on to the observe to cheer their heroes has an extended custom within the sport, and at circuits like Monza and Silverstone it has develop into a part of the magic.
Nonetheless, what with races more and more being held in cities, ticket costs past the attain of most, and the possible scrapping of the extra conventional tracks, that is unlikely to be an issue for for much longer.
