The promoter of the United States Grand Prix has been fined half a million Euros (£416,000), 70 percent of which has been suspended, after fans entered the track during the cool-down lap.
The stewards noted track invasions have become an increasing problem at circuits during recent seasons. Last year the Australian and Brazilian grand prix promoters were also sanctioned for similar incidents.
On this occasion the stewards found “a large group of spectators, estimated at approximately 200 people, in the grandstand alongside pit straight, climbed a small fence and dropped around two metres to the ground between the grandstand and the track debris fencing.
“They then went under the debris fencing and climbed over the trackside wall (approximately one metre high) and then merged onto the main straight. All this occurred whilst the competing cars were still on track completing their cool down lap after the chequered flag.”
The stewards agreed the promoters had a safety plan in place to allow spectators into the track at the appropriate time and stated it “was actually well implemented.”
“However notwithstanding [this], the incursion occurred due to the failure to identify a potential incursion area that was not addressed in that Safety Plan,” they added.
The stewards took into consideration the fact no other invasion has occured at the track since F1 first visited it in 2012. Partly because of that, €350,000 of their €500,000 fine has been suspended until the end of 2026 “on the basis that between now and that date, there are no further track incursions at this circuit during any FIA championship event.”
The promoter is also required to submit a remediation plan to the FIA.
“There have now been a number of track incursions in recent times and that the safety of the public is of paramount importance to the sport,” the stewards added.
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2024 United States Grand Prix
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