Over the last couple of weeks, there has been speculation that the FIA are considering tightening Grid access. Currently invited celebrities and guests as well as members of the media are allowed to join team personnel on the track, but this might not be the case for much longer.
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The reports of clamping down on the amount of people on grids before F1 races comes after an incident involving PSG footballer Neymar at the Spanish Grand Prix.
The rise in popularity and American interest in the sport has not only increased the number of fans attending races but also the number of invited celebrities and VIP’s in the paddock.
Whilst this isn’t a huge issue on the surface, it has caused pre-race grids to become busier than ever with little room to move.
The FIA are now evaluating if the number of people on the grid pre-race is becoming an issue. And if so, what regulations can be put in place to rectify the issue. It was a topic of discussion at the FIA World Motor Sport Council earlier in the month and it’s expected that a conclusion will be reached soon. So watch this space for further updates!
What Happened At The Spanish GP?
In case you missed it, the incident that sparked concerns about safety on the grid involved ex Barcelona football player, Neymar, at the Spanish Grand Prix. Neymar was not the only celeb on the grid that day, and he was joined by Chelsea trio Mason Mount, Ben Chilwell and Reece James.
According to reports, Neymar was still positioned at the edge of the grass on the main straight as the formation lap began. It’s unclear what circumstances led to this happening or how and why he was still on the grass at this point.
However, it has resulted in safety concerns and it seems like the FIA have no choice but to dissect the incident in order to understand what happened and how to prevent it from happening again.
What Are The FIA Saying?
As the regulatory body for the sport, it is the job of the FIA to come to a conclusion about how safety on the grid prior to a race can be improved. This is even more important when the grid is busier than ever before.
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has assured fans that “We must take learnings from the incident at the Spanish Grand Prix”. He went on to say that “The FIA has been assured by Stefano Domenicali [F1 CEO] that measures are being taken to ensure that there is no repeat of the incident”.
“It is an issue not just in Formula 1 but also in Formula E and World Endurance Championship and other categories from my recent experiences with too many people on the grid at some events.”
The FIA have made it clear that they are taking this seriously and that they are looking to improve safety for everyone on the grid.
“It is the duty of the FIA to ensure a safe environment for all. Safety in motorsport is the Federation’s main priority.”
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