A fine of 500,000 € for the United States Grand Prix following the invasion of fans
The FIA has decided to impose a fine of €500,000 on the promoters of the United States Grand Prix due to the intrusion of around 200 people on the track at the end of the race, while some drivers were still completing their cooldown lap.
It is a sanction that the United States Grand Prix would have preferred to avoid. After the victory of Charles Leclerc, fans invaded the Texan circuit while some drivers had not yet reached the paddock. For this breach of security, the FIA has decided to take action: « Given the seriousness of the intrusion, a fine of 500,000 euros is imposed on the promoter », the institution's statement said.
The FIA specifies that this fine includes 350,000 € with a suspended sentence, which will be suspended until December 31, 2026, on the condition that no further intrusion occurs on this circuit during an FIA Championship event before that date. The unprecedented nature of this incident at COTA allowed the circuit to benefit from this leniency.
A significant security breach
The FIA emphasizes that this incident constitutes a violation of Article 12.2.1.h of the International Sporting Code of the FIA 2024, which states that « any dangerous act or failure to take reasonable measures leading to a dangerous situation » is considered an offense.
The leading body detailed the facts: « A large group of spectators, estimated at around 200 people, in the stand along the straight line of the stands, climbed over a small fence, falling about 2 meters to the ground between the stand and the debris protection barrier. They then went under the wire fence and climbed the track wall (about 1 meter high) before entering the main straight line.
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