FIA President Ben Sulayem has expressed concern over the increasing number of people present on the starting grid of Formula 1 races before the start of the Grand Prix. Currently, there are more than 100 people working exclusively on the cars during the 40 minutes before each race. However, apart from the mechanics and team members, there is another group of people involved in the preparation of the race – celebrities and invited guests.
At every race, a select group of people are granted access to the grid where they can interact with everyone. This has led to some high-risk security issues, as was seen at the 2023 Spanish Grand Prix when Neymar Jr. and a few other guests stood at the edge of the pitch during the formation lap. This incident immediately raised concerns and the race officials were notified.
FIA President Ben Sulayem has commented on the situation, stating that lessons must be learned from what happened at the Spanish Grand Prix. He has been assured by F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali that measures will be taken to ensure such incidents do not recur. Sulayem emphasized that the FIA’s top priority is to ensure a safe environment for all involved in motorsport.
While Formula 1 has allowed celebrities access to the start grid in the past, incidents like these highlight the need for stricter security measures. In the past, Usain Bolt had planned a photo shoot with Formula 1 at the 2017 United States Grand Prix just before the start lap of the race. The risk for the people on the grid remains, and it will be interesting to see what measures F1 takes to prevent such cases in the future.
In conclusion, FIA President Ben Sulayem has addressed the issue of increasing numbers of people on the starting grid before F1 races and the security risks it poses. He has been assured that measures will be taken to prevent such incidents from happening again, and safety remains a top priority for the association.
How does the overcrowding on the starting grid during Formula 1 races pose a security risk and why is it a growing concern according to FIA President Ben Sulayem?
FIA President Ben Sulayem sounds the alarm over a growing concern in Formula 1 races – the overcrowded starting grid. With over 100 individuals now exclusively focused on the cars in the 40 minutes leading up to each race, the presence of celebrities and invited guests adds to an already risky situation.
A recent incident at the 2023 Spanish Grand Prix involving Neymar Jr. and a group of guests standing dangerously close to the track during the formation lap raised serious security concerns. Racing authorities were promptly notified, prompting FIA President Sulayem to emphasize the need for lessons to be learned from this incident. He received reassurances from F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali that measures will be implemented to prevent such incidents in the future. The safety of everyone involved in motorsport remains paramount to the FIA.
While celebrities have been granted access to the starting grid in the past, these incidents underscore the necessity for tighter security protocols. In 2017, Usain Bolt had even planned a photo shoot on the grid just moments before the start of the United States Grand Prix. The risks faced by individuals on the grid cannot be ignored, leaving us curious to see what measures F1 will put in place to prevent such scenarios from unfolding again.
In summary, FIA President Ben Sulayem highlights the rising number of people populating the starting grid at Formula 1 races and the security risks associated with it. Reassurances have been given that steps will be taken to prevent future incidents, with safety remaining a paramount concern for the association.
