Yet another security incident in Sao Paulo has caused major concerns over the security measures at the Brazilian Grand Prix and the overall future of the event. There have been four major reported incidents involving weapons during the weekend and it has been an annual occurrence at the event for many years.
The weekend started with reports that members of the Mercedes team had been robbed at gun point by an individual. The Mercedes personnel involved had their phones, wallets, passports and other items stolen, although everyone involved escaped uninjured. Lewis Hamilton later revealed that gunshots were fired and a team member had a gun held to their head, although he was not involved in the incident. New documents were flown to Brazil, to ensure that the team members would be able to return to the United Kingdom after the weekend was over.
A car filled with FIA officials was also the target of an armed man. The vehicle was fitted with bulletproof glass and the officials drove away from the scene when the man tapped a gun on the window. They were able to escape with no injuries.
Sauber team members were also involved in an incident involving armed criminals on Saturday following the conclusion of qualifying. A team van carrying personnel was deliberately hit by another car to stop the van. There were reportedly armed men also involved in this incident. No one was harmed because the van did not stop, as instructed under the no-stop policy introduced by the FIA. The van was outside of the range in which there was an increased police presence promised after the Mercedes robbery.
A fourth attack on Sunday evening involved Pirelli personnel. The car containing the Pirelli team members was reported the victim of an attempted armed robbery, in which criminals attempted to stop their vehicle. The members involved in the incident also escaped uninjured and nothing was stolen.
Armed incidents such as these are a frequent occurrence at the event, happening on an annual basis. In 2010, Jenson Button was involved in a similar incident with three men armed with machine guns. Thanks to the quick driving skills of the driver of the armored vehicle, everyone was able to escape uninjured.
The high frequency of attacks has brought up serious questions over the security of those involved in the event and could impact the future of the race. The event holds a contract until 2020, but questions have come up as to whether the event will be renewed past this date if the circuit cannot be adequately secured.
Additional private security is expected to be present at the two-day Pirelli tyre test to be held at the circuit.
