The FIA could restrict F1 grid access after an incident involving Neymar at the Spanish Grand Prix
- Harry Whitfield
- 21 June 2023
The FIA has suggested that it will look to implement restrictions on who can access the grid after Neymar was found to still be on the circuit during the formation lap.
Celebrities, special guests and more fill the starting grid before every race in F1, especially in Monaco as all the stars arrive in spectacular fashion, and the FIA are looking to make a change.
Martin Brundle gets the chance to interview most of them before every race with his grid walk but only a few seem to be keen followers of the sport.
At the Spanish Grand Prix, Neymar was one of the latest celebrities to be found on the side of the grass at the start of the formation lap.
This has been happening for a while now leading to fans questioning why such people get special access and whether it is safe.
Already F1 has seen safety concerns being raised after the Australian Grand Prix where fans managed to enter the track as the race was coming to an end which is still under investigation.
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem said: "We must take learnings from the incident at the Spanish Grand Prix.
"The FIA has been assured by Stefano Domenicali that measures are being taken to ensure that there is no repeat of the incident."
The president also spoke about how he believes it is not just an issue in F1 but in other FIA racing categories leading him to say there are 'too many people on the grid at some events.'
In the past, a similar incident took place but it was arranged by F1 as Usain Bolt was allowed to do his trademark pose at the start of the USA Grand Prix 2017 for the formation lap.
However, at the Canadian Grand Prix on Sunday, Brundle mentioned the unusual amount of space there was on the grid before the race.
A stark contrast to usual races as Brundle is often seen squeezing his way through large crowds on a packed grid.
Despite an interview with famous chef Gordon Ramsay, there was very little interaction with celebrities before the race.
This could be because the race in Canada does not usually attract a lot of celebrities but we might be seeing a lot of grids like this in the future if the FIA is serious about clamping down on F1 grid access.
