Formula 1 to crack down on fans stealing property from the track

Formula 1 to crack down on fans stealing property from the track

Fans taking signs and boars from the Austrian Grand Prix following the end of the race (Image credit: Chris Medland)

Aside from other deplorable fan behaviour at the last two Grands Prix in Silverstone and Austria, some fans had also taken to the track and made themselves at home. Which means, stealing Rolex boards and the like. Suffice to say, it is not good for Formula 1 and its reputation, as well as affecting the image of other fans.

As reported by Chris Medland of De Telegraaf, the fans had taken to the track following the end of the Austrian Grand Prix and took Rolex boards, signs, etc with them. Many fans had joked about it on social media, but others were less enthusiastic, calling the fans ‘hooligans’.

A report from Erik van Haren of De Telegraaf read: “Sources around the Formula 1 top report that from the coming race weekend in France there will be stricter controls that spectators comply with the rules. There will be CCTV surveillance and a fan who engages in similar behaviour will be prosecuted by local authorities.”

It is apparent that Formula 1 was not pleased by it, and has swiftly moved to penalize it and crack down on it happening anymore. As mentioned before, this did not happen in only Austria, but at least in Silverstone as well, according to formula1news.uk, with fans taking home ‘souvenirs’ from the race. This happened after the race when the fans are allowed onto the track to check out the circuit.

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A preview for France

Max Verstappen (Left) & Charlec Leclerc (Right)
The battle is set to continue

The Circuit-Paul Ricard is not very popular among fans, with many considering it to be the worst or most boring track on the calendar. There are also rumours that it will no longer be staying on the calendar. The French Grand Prix returned in 2018, with Lewis Hamilton coming out on top in the first two, and Max Verstappen edging out Hamilton for the win in 2021.

One thing everyone will be hoping for is a less toxic weekend. In Silverstone, Max Verstappen was not a sight for sore eyes, with the Dutchman being booed at every chance. In Austria, Lewis Hamilton was subject to the same treatment, with some fans cheering his crash in qualifying. Last year in Silverstone, some fans had also cheered when Max Verstappen had his terrifying 51G crash with Hamilton.

Perhaps most shockingly, there were reports of sexual harassment in Austria as well, and Formula 1 had put out a statement regarding it, calling the behaviour ‘unacceptable’ and that it will not be tolerated, and rightly so. Other drivers like Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc, Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel also condemned the perpetrators and the behaviour. Such behaviour has no place in society in any form.

As for the exciting points, Mercedes may be back in contention in France, with the Silver Arrows bringing upgrades, and the smooth nature of the track means that the Mercedes W13 will in all likelihood look better, as it has in other smoother circuits, such as Silverstone, and it is general consensus that the track suits their car. On the top, Charles Leclerc will be hoping to chase down Max Verstappen and get much closer to the Dutchman before the summer break, and Ferrari will hope to do the same against Red Bull.

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