Formula 1 cars scream along racecircuits at speeds well in excess of 200mph. So when someone steps onto the track, it very quickly becomes a life and death situation.
Often the driver’s incredibly quick reflexes are enough to avoid potential disaster. The race directors also have to step in to either slow down the field or stop the race entirely until the protestor is removed.
Here’s five of the most extreme track invasions moments in F1 when protestors stopped the show.
2022 British Grand Prix – Climate activists seize the Wellington Straight
Location: Silverstone, United Kingdom
What Happened: Lap 1 brought a terrifying crash for Zhou Guanyu, and the red flag flew. While crews rushed to the scene, six Just Stop Oil protesters leapt the fence and sat in the middle of the 790-metre Wellington Straight. TV cameras caught them waving banners as marshals sprinted over. Had the race still been running, cars would have been barreling toward them at 180 mph. Watch it here.
Aftermath: Police arrested all six within minutes. Each faced public-nuisance charges and later received suspended sentences plus community service. Silverstone doubled its perimeter patrols for 2023, and the FIA added real-time liaison officers from local police at every Grand Prix.
2015 Chinese Grand Prix – One fan, one fence, and one Ferrari garage
Location: Shanghai International Circuit, China
What Happened: During Free Practice 2, a spectator climbed the main-grandstand barrier, dashed straight across the live pit lane, and vaulted the wall into the Ferrari garage. He politely handed staff some cash, asking to meet Kimi Räikkönen. Mechanics stared in disbelief. Security arrived seconds later. More photos here.
Aftermath: The man was detained by Shanghai police and fined. Pit-lane access rules tightened overnight: extra turnstiles, taller fences, and mandatory wrist-band scans for team guests.
2003 British Grand Prix – A priest on the Hangar Straight
Location: Silverstone, United Kingdom
What Happened: Mid-race, former priest Cornelius Horan ran opposite the flow of traffic on the Hangar Straight, clutching a homemade sign urging drivers to “Read the Bible: The Bible is always right.” Cars swerved around him at nearly 160 mph before a marshal rugby-tackled him to safety. Watch it here.
Aftermath: Horan served two months in jail for aggravated trespass. Silverstone installed higher debris fences and added pit-lane security cameras. Drivers later voted the incident the season’s “scariest moment.”
2000 German Grand Prix – Sacked worker halts Hockenheim
Location: Hockenheimring, Germany
What Happened: Disgruntled former Mercedes employee Robert Sehli strolled onto the high-speed Ostkurve armed with a protest placard about job cuts. The safety car was deployed, compressing the field and flipping race strategy on its head. Watch it here.
Aftermath: Sehli was arrested and fined for endangering lives. The unexpected caution period helped Rubens Barrichello, who started 18th, secure his first career win. Organizers raised outer fencing by a full metre and stationed guards every 100 metres for future events.
1987 Austrian Grand Prix – Confused fans pour onto the Österreichring
Location: Österreichring (now Red Bull Ring), Austria
What Happened: Two pile-ups on the opening lap forced back-to-back red flags. Believing the event was canceled, dozens of spectators hopped the fences and wandered down the main straight—some even crossing the racing line—while officials prepared for a third restart.
Aftermath: Marshals and police chased the crowd off within ten minutes. Although no one was hurt, the chaos highlighted poor communication with fans. Combined with safety worries, it contributed to Austria losing its race slot until the track’s major rebuild in 1997.
