Right after Sunday’s thrilling race at the Canadian Grand Prix, things took a dangerous turn. As drivers were wrapping up on the cooldown lap, a significant number of spectators swarmed the track before all cars had safely returned to parc ferme.
This isn’t the first time Montreal’s Circuit Gilles Villeneuve has faced such an issue. The FIA, clearly fed up with the ongoing safety lapses, decided to take a stronger stance by formally summoning Octane Racing Group, the local promoters.
Following an investigation, the stewards found Octane Racing Group at fault for failing to take reasonable measures to prevent an unsafe situation. The security measures in place were either not enforced or were simply insufficient, putting both spectators and drivers at risk.
During a hearing, the promoter admitted their security wasn’t robust enough, despite allocating more resources to it. They acknowledged the gravity of the situation and promised a thorough investigation to prevent future occurrences.
The stewards have now mandated that the promoter must submit a formal plan to the FIA by September 30, detailing how they will address and rectify the security shortcomings. The FIA also warned that any future lapses would result in significant financial penalties.
This isn’t an isolated incident. Just last year, similar issues arose at the Australian Grand Prix, where fans even reached the stranded Haas of Nico Hulkenberg, leading to a ban on post-race track invasions for the 2024 event. There was also a track invasion at the Brazilian Grand Prix’s Turn 1 right after the cars took the chequered flag.
Beyond the track invasion, the Canadian Grand Prix was eventful. The wet-to-dry race was clinched by Max Verstappen of Red Bull, followed by McLaren’s Lando Norris and Mercedes’ George Russell. The event saw a record attendance of 350,000 spectators over four days, surpassing the previous year’s 345,000, though it was marred by various logistical issues.
With safety concerns taking center stage, the FIA’s stance on track invasions is clear and firm. Promoters will need to step up their game to ensure the safety of both fans and drivers, or face severe consequences.
Source: Motorsport
