Safety concerns at the Shanghai Circuit after fan breaches perimeter and runs out onto the track

(Mercedes AMG PETRONAS F1 Team)

Concerns have been raised over the safety and security at the Shanghai International Circuit after a fan managed to breach the perimeter and run out onto the circuit during Free Practice Two.

It was not the first time that something like this has happened as in 2003, Irish priest Father Neil Horan ran out onto The Hangar straight in front of a number of drivers. The Hangar straight is one of the fastest parts of the circuit. Horan was tackled by a trackside marshal this prompted a review of security and safety at the circuit.

The man who ran onto the circuit in China this morning was in possession of a grandstand ticket and reportedly told marshals and security personnel ‘I want to test a car.’

The man ran across the circuit between a gap between a Sauber and Force India that were making their way down the main straight. He then proceeded to climb the pit-wall and ran across the pit-lane towards the Ferrari garage before he was apprehended and by circuit officials and was handed over to the police.

Formula One race director Charlie Whiting immediately called on circuit security to be heightened which it has been. However questions need to be asked as to how was allowed to happen as the situation could have ended a lot differently.

© Ben Johnston 2015