Police in Shanghai have arrested a spectator who ran across the start finish straight during the second practice session earlier today.
Judging it right, the man ran from the main grandstand and jumped over the pit wall when a gap appeared between the Sauber of Marcus Ericsson and the Force India of Nico Hulkenberg.
Once over the concrete wall, he then proceeded to run to the Ferrari garage – claiming he “wanted to try a car” – before two of the Scuderia’s mechanics stopped him and handed him over to security forces at the event. He is now understood to be in police custody.
Formula 1 has some of the tightest security in the world – BBC’s Jennie Gow likening Grand Prix security measures to those found at airports – and the sport’s bosses are investigating how he managed to breach the precautions.
Chinese GP officials have twice doubled the security around the circuit in response to the incident.
This is not the first track invasion to have happened in Formula 1. The 1989 Brazilian GP saw a man run across the finish line just before Nigel Mansell crossed the line – with legendary commentator Murray Walker describing him as ” a raving lunatic”.
Perhaps the most infamous track invader was at the 2000 German GP, where a disgruntled former Mercedes Benz employee found his way onto one of the straights at the ferocious old Hockenheim track. He certainly got his own back – with the Safety Car ruining the McLaren Mercedes strategy and allowing Rubens Barrichello to take his maiden win.
The 2003 British Grand Prix saw priest Neil Horan run down the Hangar Straight with signs saying “Read the Bible” and “The Bible is always right” – forcing several drivers to take evasive action as he swerved towards them. He was sentenced to two months in prison for his actions.
One more notable case came during the warm up lap for the 2004 Spanish Grand Prix – where a man ran onto the grid before the cars arrived to protest against the Royal Family.
Hopefully we have seen the last of track invaders for a long time, because the last thing anyone wants to see is a spectator or driver getting hurt.
