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Australia intervene after 'near disaster': No fans on track in 2024

11:45, 25 Jan 2024

byMatt

After the Australian Grand Prix - or instead during it - an extremely unsafe situation occurred. Spectators entered the track before all the cars returned to the pit lane. The FIA demanded an investigation, and in the meantime, the Melbourne event organisers have decided that fans will not be allowed onto the asphalt in 2024.

Fans could get close to Nico Hulkenberg's Haas F1 car, which retired last year and was still unsafe. The light above the Haas' cockpit was red, meaning there was a chance the car was electrically charged. According to the FIA, this endangered spectators, track staff, and drivers.

Australian GP make a decision

The organisers immediately acknowledged that mistakes had been made in terms of security protocols and safety measures. Months later, the issue still plays out between the FIA and the Grand Prix organisers. Therefore, the decision was made to deny all fans access to the circuit after this year's Grand Prix.

A statement read: "The Australian Grand Prix Corporation advises that given the ongoing FIA investigation into the early track breach at the conclusion of the 2023 event, there will be no track access for patrons following the Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix 2024."

So for now, the decision has been made not to allow fans on the track only in 2024, but it may be that this will be extended to subsequent years. Much will also depend on the outcome of the investigation.