The FIA stewards handed down a half-million euros verdict following the United States Grand Prix after fans stormed the Circuit of the Americas before all cars had returned safely back to the pit lane.
The promoter of the race (Circuit of the Americas LLC) and the organiser (US Race Management LLC) were both called before the stewards when around 200 spectators from the main pit straight grandstand managed to get onto the track after the chequered flag.
The fact of the decision was made clear following an investigation, and €500,000 was deemed the appropriate punishment for the promoter, COTA.
However, €350,000 of that is suspended until the end of 2026, so long as no similar occurrences take place before that point.
As detailed by the FIA, it was a "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."
The reasons for the verdict are detailed below.
Reasons
- The Stewards heard from Messrs Regan Holley and Jake Woese representing the Promoter, Mr Tim Mayer representing US Race Management and Messrs Nikolas Tombazis, Tim Malyon and Niels Wittich representing the FIA.
- Mr Dennis Dean, the ASN steward, was not considered to have a conflict of interest as he had no role in either the promoting body nor the sporting organiser.
- It was noted that there had been no track incursions at this circuit in its 12-year history of Formula 1 events.
- It was noted however that crowd behaviour is an evolving issue, and that public safety precautions should evolve accordingly. It is not unreasonable to expect that the incursion which occurred could have been foreseen.
- The Promoter was issued a track license by the FIA.
- There is an agreement between the Promoter and US Race Management that places responsibility for security of the public under the control of the Promoter.
- The Stewards note that the Safety Plan for the allowance of the public onto the track, was actually well implemented.
- However notwithstanding, the incursion occurred due to the failure to identify a potential incursion area that was not addressed in that Safety Plan.
- The Stewards note the submission by the FIA that unlike some previous track incursions at other circuits, it wished to have this matter dealt with by the Stewards of the Event. Mr Mayer agreed with this request on behalf of the Sporting Organiser and the Promoter.
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.
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