The São Paulo Grand Prix organisers have been referred for
investigation to the FIA World Motor Sport Council after a track
invasion at the end of Sunday’s event. A large group of spectators
broke security lines and accessed the Turn 1 run-off area as the
race was finishing, with the stewards’ report suggesting security
was not ‘enforced and/or sufficient’, which resulted in an unsafe
situation. It marks a difficult end for the organisers after
infrastructure took a hit during Friday’s qualifying session as a
freak storm hit Interlagos, with a grandstand roof collapsing and
other facilities damaged. Stewards report Having found the
organisation in breach of the FIA International Sporting Code, the
race stewards report read: “SPF1 [São Paulo F1] candidly admitted
the failures in terms of the security protocols and safety
measures. “SPF1 concurred with the FIA Sporting Delegate and the
Race Director report and agreed that comparable circumstances
already occurred in Brazil and that this was an unacceptable
situation which could have had disastrous consequences. “SPF1
stated, in mitigation, that they would conduct a thorough
investigation and take steps to remediate in time for the next
event in Brazil. “In the circumstances, the Stewards hereby
determine that: a. SPF1 breached Article 12.2.1.h of the 2023 FIA
International Sporting Code and; b. SPF1 urgently (i.e. at the
latest by 30th January 2024) present a formal remediation plan to
the FIA that adequately addresses the serious concerns above. “As
this relates to serious issues around safety and security, the
Stewards hereby request the FIA to review and comment on whether
the abovementioned steps are adequate to address the concerns
raised and to state if any further measure(s) need to be taken, as
soon as possible. “This should be done directly with SPF1. “In
addition, the Stewards hereby formally refer this incident to the
FIA World Motor Sports Council for a further investigation to
determine whether any additional steps need to be taken or
penalties applied beyond the remediation plan presented by SPF1
(and reviewed by the FIA) to ensure the safe and orderly conduct of
future events in Brazil.”
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