Australian Grand Prix track invaders could face bans from future races · RaceFans

In brief

Track invaders who breached Albert Park before finish could face bans

The Australian Grand Prix Corporation, which organises the race at Albert Park, admitted multiple “serious” security failures to FIA stewards after fans were seen on the live race track before the chequered flag. The incident has been referred to the FIA’s World Motor Sport Council after the stewards found organisers in breach of Article 12.2.1.h of the FIA’s International Sporting Code, which covers “any unsafe act or failure to take reasonable measures, thus resulting in an unsafe situation”.

The event’s general manager of operations, Tom Mottram, said they have identified fans who breached the track before they were authorised and that they will consider what actions they could take against them under local laws governing the race.

“We’ve identified five or six persons of interest who breached the track early, and we want to be talking to them,” Mottram told The Age. “It’s not something we will ever tolerate or accept and people need to realise this was a very dangerous undertaking that occurred.

“We’ll find out what was the understanding or motive, and whether it’s something they did with malicious intent or they subconsciously found themselves in that position. I wouldn’t want to jump to any conclusions until we’ve had an opportunity to chat to them.”

Prema fined but keep LMP2 pole

The Prema team have avoided losing their class pole in LMP2 for today’s WEC Six Hours of Portimao after the team were fined for working on their car in the pit lane before qualifying began.

Prema mechanics removed the rear deck of the number 63 LMP2 car in the queue at the end of pit lane prior to the green light. When the session started, the car completed its outlap and immediately pitted for repairs before going on to take pole position by just one-thousandth of a second ahead of Vector Sport.

After an investigation by the stewards, Prema were fined €1,000 for the incident but kept their pole position. The stewards noted that “as the team’s garage was at the opposite end of pit lane, the stewards agree that they would have impeded other competitors if they had pushed the car the entire length of the pit lane.”

More sustainable Firestone tyres a “huge step” for IndyCar – Rossi

Firestone’s ‘green wall’ compound tyres that will be used for all street circuit races this season including this weekend’s Grand Prix of Long Beach is a “huge step” for the series, believes McLaren’s Alexander Rossi.

The composition of the compound, which will be the faster ‘alternate’ softer tyre available to drivers over the weekend, is different to the standard compounds and has so far only been used in Nashville last year as a trial and at the 2023 season opener in St. Petersburg.

Asked by RaceFans about his expectations for the tyre, Rossi said the compound offered identical grip to the traditional compound.

“I think Firestone has done an amazing job in the sense that we have a sustainable tyre that really produces the same level of performance as an non-sustainable tyre,” Rossi said. “I think that was proved in Nashville last year, and that’s why we’re using them on all the street courses this year. So I think it’s a huge step for IndyCar, huge step for Firestone, and something that we should all be very proud to be a part of.

“At the end of every weekend every driver and team, I believe, has a debrief with Firestone going through the pros and cons of the primary and the alternate, and what needs to be adjusted for the future. And I think Firestone takes all of that into account.”

Links

Motor racing links of interest:

Schumacher opens up on working with Hamilton and ‘special’ dad link (Mirror)

“I’ve learned a lot about what’s important in terms of approaching race weekends; I feel like I’ve already gained so much knowledge to add to my skillset. I didn’t think I would have learned and gained so much so early into my role.”

Annual General Meeting April 14, 2023 (Ferrari)

“From this racing heritage and broad technical reservoir, we are building our first full electric Ferrari – a milestone of our history which will be unveiled in 2025.”

Imola, saranno nozze a tutta velocità d’ora in poi (Sky Italia)

The Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari circuit in Imola will offer packages for weddings to be held at the famous circuit.

Indianapolis 500 field set (Racer)

“RACER has confirmed the IndyCar Series engine manufacturers are locked in with 17 entries apiece, with Chevrolet supporting its 12 full-time drivers plus five additional 2.2-liter twin-turbo V6 motors for the Indy 500 in support of Arrow McLaren’s Tony Kanaan, the pair of Dreyer & Reinbold Racing cars for Ryan Hunter-Reay and Stefan Wilson, and owner/driver Ed Carpenter.”

Palou returns to the scene of his greatest racing accomplishment at Long Beach (NBC Sports)

“We are happy with the start of the season. We were quite strong at St. Pete and super strong at Texas. We just started. Obviously, we wanted to win the first two races. There have been better guys than us, but we are super happy. We had good options at St. Pete and a podium finish at Texas. It feels good.”

Job opportunity: Social Media and Communications Assistant (Brands Hatch)

“This is an exciting opportunity to join the MotorSport Vision media team, supporting social media, PR and marketing activity for headline events at the group’s five UK race circuits, plus the PalmerSport driving event at Bedford Autodrome.Working within the media team, you will assist with the promotion of several areas of the business through social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, as well as in the local, national and specialist press.”

Karting legend Angelo Parrilla dies (AutoAction)

“The karting world is mourning the passing on Friday of Angelo Parrilla at the age of 77. Parrilla was the head of the little Italian DAP kart engine (and chassis) business, along with brother Achille, that took on the big boys back in karting’s ‘golden era’. Parrilla and DAP are, however, most recognised as the combination, who ran Ayrton Senna through his international karting career – from mid-1978 through to end of 1980 on a full time basis.”

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Racing in my modified helmet design with McLaren and United Autosports colours. Love it!

Thanks to @BellRacingHQ, Sid Special Paint, Alan Mosca and Caldato Design. These guys have covered lids for McLaren World Champions like Senna and Fittipaldi. Awesome work. pic.twitter.com/LQ9mlvJOCE

— Zak Brown (@ZBrownCEO) April 15, 2023

That’s P10 in Race 1 for @ZBrownCEO and the FW07, and the end of today’s F1 Historic Challenge action on the streets of Long Beach.

Stay tuned for Race 2 tomorrow at 10:45 PDT 🇺🇸 / 18:45 BST 🇬🇧#BeUnited #IMSA #AcuraGPLB #F1 #Williams #LongBeach pic.twitter.com/Ag3UEIr8bF

— United Autosports (@UnitedAutosport) April 15, 2023

On World Art Day, we have to revisit this masterpiece from @alex_albon 🎨😂#WeAreWilliams

— Williams Racing (@WilliamsRacing) April 15, 2023

Our brand new @F1 Paddock Club is coming along nicely 👀

🔜 #MiamiGP x @cryptocom pic.twitter.com/lCyc1I5ifT

— F1 Miami Grand Prix (@f1miami) April 15, 2023

Today, @GoodwoodMar5hal launched their new first-response vehicle in memory of Rob Foote, who sadly lost his life at Brands Hatch in 2021 🧡

A fundraising campaign established by @alicepowell raised almost £60k towards this new vehicle 👏 #MotorsportUK #ThanksMarshal

— Motorsport UK (@ourmotorsportuk) April 15, 2023

@officialbtrc

When the tire wall and safety fence protects the crowd from @Team Oliver Racing and @Mvcommercial dance on the track at Brands Hatch at the opening round of the 2023 British Truck racing Championship! 📹 credit to Iain Willis #lifeofracing #britishtruckracing #truckcrash #brandshatch #motorsport #racing #truckracing #uktruckracing #race #havingfun #btrc #racingmotorsport #ontrackaction #truckracingcrash #trucksport #fyp #convoytruckevents #convoy2023

♬ original sound – BritishTruckRacingChampionship

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