AUSTRALIAN Grand Prix Corporation CEO Travis Auld has indicated the once traditional post-race track access for fans is not forever off the table.
Any such track invasion has been banned for this weekend’s Albert Park bonanza after the end of last year’s Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix was marred by fans making their way on-track earlier than allowed.
Auld said there will be regular on-site reminders that post-race track access is gone for the 2024 edition, but hopes it can one day return.
“It wasn’t a decision taken lightly by the board,” he said on SEN’s Grid Walk show.
“We obviously had people find a way onto the track before the race had concluded at last year’s event and from a safety point of view that’s obviously not acceptable.
“So, we’ve had conversations with the FIA and Motorsport Australia working out how we improve track protection, which we have done a lot of.
“There was some circumstances surrounding the end of last year’s race that made it a bit confusing and yes, we’ve run an on-track celebration walk for a number of years successfully – we’re just going to put a pause on it for this year and see how the new measures go.
“We haven’t put a line through it forever. I’d love to see the day where it was reintroduced, but we’ll just have to see how it goes this year.”
He reiterated: “There’s no doubt, you look at all of the visuals of that event from years gone by and in every second photo it has a main straight full of fans, so we’d love to get back to that.
“I’ve actually got full faith in our fans that they’ll do the right thing. They did the right thing for many, many years.
“As I said, there were confusing circumstances last year. We have an unbelievable fan base, very passionate, they love the event and I think it will be fine.”
Auld also spoke of a desire for Supercars to remain as part of the AGP into the future.
That is significant given some level of dissatisfaction around moves to kick Supercars out of the alternate pitlane in favour of Formula 2, and to restrict fan access to the championship’s relocated infield paddock.
