By Ian Ransom
Stewards have ordered Australian Grand Prix organisers to urgently produce a remediation plan after a large group of spectators invaded the track during the Formula 1 race at Albert Park on Sunday.
Spectators managed to break through security and access the track toward the end of the race, with some reaching the car driven by Haas’ Nico Hulkenberg as it was parked at the exit of turn two.
Fans scale the fence and enter the track at Albert Park.Credit:AP
“All of this presented significant danger to the spectators; race officials and the drivers,” stewards said in a statement issued by the governing FIA.
The Australian Grand Prix Corporation fronted stewards and admitted to the safety and security failures, agreeing it was an “unacceptable situation that could have had disastrous consequences”.
Fans could be seen climbing trackside barriers.
Organisers were told to provide a formal remediation plan to address the failures, including a review of the marshals protecting Hulkenberg’s car.
Stewards also requested that the FIA refer the incident to the governing body’s World Motor Sports Council to determine whether penalties should be applied.
The grand prix corporation asked to have until June 30 to submit its review.
