After Red Bull driver Max Verstappen crossed the finish line eight seconds ahead of McLaren’s Lando Norris to win the 71-lap race, “a large group” of spectators entered the track.
This happened in Turn 1 during the checkered flag lap while the cars were still on the track. Although there were no injuries, race stewards called race officials due to serious safety concerns.
There is an agreed time for the gates to be opened to allow fans onto the track to allow many to make their way to the main straight for the awards ceremony.
Motorsport.com understands that people climbed over the fences at Interlagos while the circuit was still considered busy.
After reviewing the CCTV evidence and hearing from race organizers, the FIA has decided that all measures “were not enforced and/or were insufficient, resulting in an unsafe environment”.
The governing body stated: “[Organisers] has openly admitted the lapses in safety protocols and security measures.
“[They] agreed with the report of the FIA Sport Delegate and the Race Director and agreed that similar circumstances had already arisen in Brazil and that this was an unacceptable situation that could have had catastrophic consequences.
Photo by: Simon Galloway / Motorsport Images
Fans unfurl a huge banner on a grandstand
In line with a similar incident at the end of the 2023 Australian GP, when Nico Hülkenberg’s car was also in an unsafe condition on track due to a possible electrical discharge, those responsible for the Brazilian GP must conduct a thorough investigation and take corrective action in a timely manner for the 2024 race.
By January 30, 2024, race organizers must “submit to the FIA a formal remedial plan that adequately addresses the serious concerns.”
The stewards have asked the FIA to review the agreed measures and the World Motor Sport Council may impose further penalties. However, the Australian GP is not threatened with further sanctions.
A record-breaking, sell-out crowd of 267,000 people attended the Interlagos circuit over the weekend.
Earlier this weekend it was announced that the Brazilian GP had agreed to a five-year contract extension that will keep the race on the F1 calendar until the 2030 season, in addition to its existing contract.