United States GP promoter slapped with eye-watering fine after fan invasion | Sporting News

The promoter of the United States Grand Prix has been hit with a staggering six-figure fine after around 200 fans breached security and invaded the Circuit of the Americas during the cooldown lap. Spectators accessed the track by scaling a small barrier and a one-meter trackside wall immediately after the Formula 1 race concluded, encroaching on the main straight while cars remained on the circuit.

Track invasions are a significant violation of the FIA’s safety regulations. As a result, officials from US Race Management and COTA were summoned by the FIA race stewards to offer an explanation for the incident. The sport’s governing body acknowledged that while the current safety measures were effectively executed, they did not sufficiently address the risk of track invasions. The investigation concluded there was a violation of Article 12.2.1.h of the 2024 FIA International Sporting Code, which pertains to deficiencies in circuit safety protocols.

Consequently, the promoter was fined €500,000, with €350,000 suspended until December 31, 2026, provided no further security breaches occur at FIA-sanctioned events at COTA. The partial suspension was granted as this marked the circuit’s first security lapse.

In addition, the promoter is required to submit a formal remediation plan to the FIA by the end of the year, detailing steps to prevent future track invasions and identifying other potential security vulnerabilities around COTA.

The FIA stewards released an official document, which read:

“Fact: A large group of spectators, estimated at approximately 200 people, in the grandstand alongside pit straight, climbed a small fence and dropped around 2 metres to the ground between the grandstand and the track debris fencing. They then went under the debris fencing and climbed over the trackside wall (approximately 1 metre high) and then merged onto the main straight. All this occurred whilst the competing cars were still on track completing their cool down lap after the chequered flag.

“Offence: Breach of Article 12.2.1.h of the 2024 FIA International Sporting Code i.e. failure to take reasonable measures thus resulting in an unsafe situation.”

It also added:

“Accordingly, the Stewards determine that:
“a. The Promoter breached Article 12.2.1.h of the 2024 FIA International Sporting Code
“b. The Promoter is required, by December 31 2024, to submit to the FIA a formal remediation plan that, in the opinion of the FIA, adequately addresses this issue but also assesses whether other potential incursion areas exist around the circuit.
“c. There have now been a number of track incursions in recent times and that the safety of the public is of paramount importance to the sport.
“d. In view of the severity of the incursion, a fine of €500,000 is imposed on the Promoter.
“e. In view of the fact this is the first case of its kind at this circuit, €350,000 of the fine is suspended until December 31 2026 on the basis that between now and that date, there are no further track incursions at this circuit during any FIA Championship Event.
“f. The Stewards recommend to the FIA that the proceeds of the unsuspended portion of the fine be dedicated to additional motorsport safety by the FIA Safety Department.”