The FIA has asked the promoters of the F1 US GP to file a report after there was track invasion by fans post-race at Circuit of the Americas.
Like couple of races in the F1 season already, there was track invasion by fans when the cars were on their in-lap, the US GP saw a similar thing again after the grand prix at Circuit of the Americas. The promoters of the race were summoned by the FIA stewards for track invasion on the main straight.
As per the report, fans thronged to the track at the start/finish straight even when some cars were completing their in-laps. The investigation stated that approximately 200 fans from the grandstand along the pit straight climbed a small fence and dropped around 2 metres to the ground. They went under the debris fencing and climbed over.
Here’s what the FIA stated: “A large group of spectators, estimated at approximately 200 people, in the grandstand alongside pit straight, climbed a small fence and dropped around 2 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 1 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 FIA noted the there was a plan in place for track invasion for the fans as is the tradition, but the particular incursion area was not in their Safety Plan. As the governing body has done in the past, they have asked the promoters to file a remedy to such incident, so that it doesn’t happen again in the coming seasons.
In addition, the FIA has levied a fine of €500,000 on the promoter. From that, the governing body has suspended €350,000 of the fine until December 31, 2026, with the note that there is no further track incursions.
The grand prix was won by Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc from teammate Carlos Sainz, as Red Bull’s Max Verstappen took third from McLaren’s Lando Norris after the Brit was penalized. In other news, Pirelli were forced to change its ‘Heroo’ trophy after potential trouble with copyright.
The Matteo Macchiavelli-designed trophy had an animal-like figure made from carbon fiber. The potential trouble was likely due to the design similarities with Bearbrick product as per Motorsport Network. The decision to replace happened in consultation with the FIA, FOM and promoters.
Leclerc was handed a more traditional trophy, while Ferrari team personnel along with Sainz and Verstappen were handed tyre replicas – similar to what Pirelli hands out to pole-sitters. They were in different colours of white, yellow and red, denoting the three compounds.
Here’s the full report: https://www.fia.com/sites/default/files/decision-document/2024%20United%20States%20Grand%20Prix%20-%20Infringement%20-%20Organiser%20and%20Promoter%20-%20Track%20Invasion.pdf
Here’s how F1 US GP panned out
Here’s how F1 US GP sprint panned out
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