Organisation GP Australia under scrutiny: 'Hopefully no ban'
F1 News
- GPblog.com
The organisers of the Australian Grand Prix are under the scrutiny of the FIA. An investigation has been launched into the event on why there were spectators on the track while the session had not yet been officially flagged. A cancellation of the event is apparently at stake.
Indeed, the current chairman of the GP's organisers, Andrew Westacott, says he does not hope there will be a 'ban' on the Australian Grand Prix in the future after the safety problems that occurred during the 2023 race. Even before the race at the Albert Park Circuit was officially over, fans had broken through fences and several people were on the track, while debris from earlier crashes and cranes were still on the track.
Westacott hopes not to cancel GP Australia
Westacott is quoted by Speedcafe.com: "I hope there won't be a ban. I don't think that's necessary either." The investigation launched into the organisation will last until 30 June. That day after, Westacott is scheduled to step down as CEO of the organisation. The race organisers' biggest concern was Hülkenberg's car still standing next to the track, which F1 fans could access. The Haas was not yet in safe mode and could not be touched. That created an unsafe situation.
Westacott concludes, “It was somewhat confusing for everyone at the end of the race. Confusion isn’t an excuse whatsoever. I just think there was a level of exuberance and excitement, given the large crowds, and given the great race we had and people wanted to get out onto the track, but they did so in a manner that wasn’t safe.”