Circuit of the Americas is fined nearly $550K after fans invade the track at the US Grand Prix
Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz, of Spain, left, and Red Bull driver Max Verstappen, right, of the Netherlands, celebrate after they finished second and third respectively behind winner Charles Leclerc in the Formula One U.S. Grand Prix auto race at Circuit of the Americas, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Austin, Texas. Credit: AP/Nick Didlick
AUSTIN, Texas — The governing body for Formula 1 fined the organizers of the United States Grand Prix nearly $550,000 after a group of spectators invaded the track at the Circuit of the Americas while cars were still finishing their cooldown lap following Sunday's race.
The FIA said about 200 fans in the grandstand opposite pit lane climbed a fence, dropped about 6 feet, then cleared another fence and barrier to get to the track itself. Fans are allowed in the area for the postrace podium celebrations but only after all the cars are off the track.
Premature track invasions are considered serious safety violations.
Race officials fined the organizers for “failing to take reasonable measures, thus resulting in an unsafe situation.”
Track president Bobby Epstein said his staff “will review the video” but declined further comment.
The track must give the FIA by the end of the year a plan to prevent an invasion from happening again and a review of the entire track to identify and correct any areas where a similar violation could occur.
The FIA suspended about $378,000 (350,000 euros) of the fine until Dec. 31, 2026, provided no other track invasion problems happen at COTA at the 2025 and 2026 grand prix.
Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc, of Monaco, wins the F1 U.S. Grand Prix auto race at the Circuit of the Americas, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Austin, Texas. Credit: AP/Patrick Falllon
The FIA also noted part of the fine was a suspended because it was the first time the track had a security breach.
