Round 1 ~ Australia 2017

[cosworth151]

The FIA is investigating why fans were pouring onto the track during the cool down lap. It looks like somebody mistakenly opened the Turn 15 gates prematurely.

http://autoweek.com/article/formula-one/fia-wants-know-why-fans-hit-track-during-cool-down-lap-f1-australian-gp

[J.Clark]

I was wondering how that happened.
That was potentially quite dangerous.
It didn't look to be just one gate though.

[John S]

I'm old school and that track invasion seemed good to me, if the scaremongers want spoil the fans fun in at last getting relatively close to an F1 car then, I give up.

In this modern age of communications all it takes is for an all cars/frequency radio message, and dashboard signal as well, to remind divers to watch for fans on slow down lap.

It was one of the best bits of the whole GP to see the eager fans swarming towards the track.     

[J.Clark]

One of the funniest experiences I have had with this was at Indy, the first USGP held there.

At the race's end, fans were wanting to climb and jump the fences and get on the track.  Security and police were not letting them, saying that wasn't allowed - should have seen the look on the faces of the would-be climbers. I was hoping they wouldn't riot.   

[cosworth151]

I remember that. Just as the race ended, Johnny Herbert's Jag coasted to a stop right in front of me. I was a huge Jaguar fan.

Were you there in 2005 when all but 6 cars refused to start the race? That really did come close to a riot.

[Alianora La Canta]

I'm old school and that track invasion seemed good to me, if the scaremongers want spoil the fans fun in at last getting relatively close to an F1 car then, I give up.

In this modern age of communications all it takes is for an all cars/frequency radio message, and dashboard signal as well, to remind divers to watch for fans on slow down lap.

That will not happen because the thing the scaremongers worry about happened in F1, in Britain 1992 (albeit in a fairly gentle form). Every driver knew Silverstone was awash with fans - no need for any fancy messaging - and everyone drove as cautiously as possible. At least one person still got their foot squashed. Before then, there wasn't much heed paid to the invasions by the powers that be - they made the same underlying assumption as John S did. Britain 1992 caused them to decide that it wasn't workable, which is why the fans have been separated strictly for the last 25 years.

Rally drivers know that with the best will in the world, spectators on their routes can be hit if they're not careful, and that's assuming they don't go into the dangerous run-off bits (something that cannot always be assumed).

It only takes a handful of clueless fans to prevent victory lap track invasions from working. Humanity continues to possess them, alas.

[lkjohnson1950]

Mercedes justifies Hamilton early stop.