FIA to investigate Mexico paddock overcrowding on 'safety grounds'

The FIA is investigating scenes in the Mexican Grand Prix Formula 1 paddock, after huge numbers of fans were granted access for the race weekend, RacingNews365.com understands. With F1 enjoying a popularity surge worldwide, recent races have seen an influx of guests and fans welcomed into the paddock - with drivers and team personal being swamped for pictures and autographs. However, in the Mexico paddock, conditions have been extreme with drivers being crowded by fans and requiring security to get them safely into their garages in time for sessions. At one point during the weekend, it is understood that Pierre Gasly's backpack was opened as he navigating the paddock, with the FIA looking into the matter on safety grounds to evaluate the impact on drivers and team personnel. "Drivers’ safety and well-being is paramount," an FIA spokesperson told RacingNews365.com. "As part of a wider focus on increased security and safety, we have also imposed stricter controls in parc ferme this season." Paddock passes are not handed out by the FIA, but fall under the jurisdiction of rights holder F1 itself. After qualifying, McLaren boss Andreas Seidl admitted that the situation had been "extreme."

Seidl: Paddock has become "extreme"

"I think the direction for Formula 1 is definitely the right one," Seidl told media including RacingNews365.com. "We appreciate it a lot - the atmosphere that is around the paddock throughout the season - but here [in Mexico] it is clearly too extreme. "We just need to have a discussion [with the FIA/F1] about how we can make sure that, especially in countries like Mexico where the fans are so passionate for what we are doing and to find the right levels of respect. "But it is very important not to over react now."