A group of protesters who attempted to enter the track at the start of Sunday’s British Grand Prix were removed from the area.
The FIA and Formula 1 confirmed details of the attempted protest, which police issued a warning about earlier this week. The protest occured moments after the race was red-flagged due to Zhou Guanyu’s huge crash.“We can confirm that after the red flag, several people attempted to enter the track. These people were immediately removed and the matter is now being dealt with by the local authorities.”
Valtteri Bottas said he saw the protesters on the track after the start and told his team about them on his radio. “It was really weird,” he said. “I’ve never seen like people on like almost on track.
“So it was pretty dangerous. If someone would have lost it there, exit of that corner, there was people so I’m glad it didn’t happen again.”
On Friday, Northamptonshire Police issued a direct appeal to those planning to protest at the race, issuing a statement saying: “Going onto a live race track is extremely dangerous – if you go ahead with this reckless plan you are jeopardising lives.”
This is the second time in three years a Formula 1 race at Silverstone has been the focus of a protest. In 2020 four people were arrested after Extinction Rebellion protesters displayed banners at the race. The event was run behind closed doors with no spectators in attendance due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
This article will be updated
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bernasaurus (@bernasaurus)
3rd July 2022, 16:13
I would happily say Crofty is prone to hyperbole, but calling the protest ‘stupid’ I think is entirely justified. I’m all for protest, and the ideals of environmentalism in general need a louder voice.
But as anyone who has ever done that thing where you walk into someone and you both step in the same direction and then step in the same direction again, and then both laugh and apologise. Doing that on an F1 straight doesn’t help, it isn’t the best way to go about it.
Maciek (@maciek)
3rd July 2022, 17:32
That’s pretty well encapsulated there
sam11333 (@sam11333)
3rd July 2022, 17:56
This 100%, they were very lucky there was a red flag.
BasCB (@bascb)
3rd July 2022, 19:41
Yeah, a protest is fine, putting up a huge poster, banner etc might mean you will get a nice talk with Vettel after the race.
But getting on a race track to protest really describes a choice that is not thought through enough.
Bullfrog (@bullfrog)
3rd July 2022, 17:38
Thankfully the ambulances and crew were used for worthwhile human beings today – racing drivers – and not these pathetic wastes of oxygen. Still, I wouldn’t be surprised if BBC News leads with this and not the crash or winner or extraordinary race…
Philip McGaw
3rd July 2022, 17:49
“A group of supporters of Just Stop Oil have stormed the track at #BritishGP2022,” the group tweeted. “If you are more outraged about this disruption than our world being burnt before our eyes, then you need to get your priorities straight.”
Philip McGaw
3rd July 2022, 17:48
What was the offence they were arrested for?
Simon
3rd July 2022, 18:06
A few of them sat on the Wellington straight. If there hadn’t been a red flag, things could have been very different.
The Ranting Brummie
3rd July 2022, 18:08
Good, now put these communists in jail and refuse to let them out until they see the benefits of technological advancements in solving environmental issues and that it’s drilled I to thier tofu-munching thick skulls that engineering has a much more important role than activism to play as a means of solving thier perceived issue.
swh1386 (@swh1386)
3rd July 2022, 18:13
As an environmentalist F1 fan I strongly condemn these protestors actions. There are much better platforms and methods with which to protest. I’m really pleased nobody was hurt today, not least Zhou… who’s accident ironically prevented a much worse incident further around the lap.
I’m really pleased as well that the TV directors did a really great job of not giving the protest any acknowledgment / TV time whatsoever. 99% of the viewing public will never know the protestors were there (notwithstanding Crofty), and the best way to stop these protestors in the future is to ensure that they get no attention whatsoever. F1’s image as a gas guzzling waste of carbon emissions is a tough one to shake, but with hybrids, synthetic fuels, carbon neutrality, voices such as Vettel speaking outside the sport on climate issues, F1 is making much greater strides towards raising environmental standards and awareness than a bunch of brain dead morons running on a racetrack ever will.
swh1386 (@swh1386)
3rd July 2022, 18:15
… retracting my tasteless use of words in the last line
Illusive (@illusive)
3rd July 2022, 18:58
This is not only a stupid thing but a massive security lapse even with intel on them.
Kringle
3rd July 2022, 19:08
The froth in this place is extraordinary.
KaIIe (@kaiie)
3rd July 2022, 19:41
“[S]everal people attempted to enter the track” attempted? They did enter it and sat in the middle of the track.