Australian Grand Prix fans banned from track access

After the conclusion of the 2023 Australian Grand Prix, the race organizers were summoned by the stewards after a security breach saw fans access the track with Formula 1 cars still driving around the track.

Some of the fans were also able to reach the Haas of Nico Hulkenberg that was parked on the side of the track the exit of Turn 2 before the marshals were able to clear it.

"All of this presented significant danger to the spectators; race officials and the drivers," stewards said in a statement issued by the governing FIA at the time.

The stewards demanded the organizers submitted a remediation plan and asked the FIA to refer the incident to the World Motor Sport Council to see whether penalties will apply.

At the time of the incident, the organizers of the race, held in Melbourne, requested to be given time until June 30, 2023 to submit a report, but now seem to have taken action on the decision.

The decision is simply to ban the fans from access onto the track after the grand prix is concluded.

Australian Grand Prix organizers said in a statement on their official website: "The Australian Grand Prix Corporation advises that given the ongoing FIA investigation into the early track breach at the conclusion of the 2023 event.

"There will be no track access for patrons following the FORMULA 1 ROLEX AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX 2024. Decisions regarding patron access to the track at the conclusion of future races will be made at a later date," the statement added.

For the 2024 F1 season, the Australian Grand Prix will be the third event and will be held on March 24, 2024, following the season opener in Bahrain and the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah.