"We want it back" - organisers plea to fans over Australian Grand Prix track walk
Australian Grand Prix organisers say they would like to see the post-race track walk return despite a ban for the 2024 event.
Fans enter the track for the podium celebrations at the 2023 Australian Grand Prix. (Paul Crock/AFP/Getty Images)
Speaking with police ahead of the event, Australian Grand Prix Corporation (AGPC) Chairman Martin Pakula stressed that the ban was temporary while an FIA investigation is underway.
“The track walk that normally happens after the last cars are in which is what should have happened last year, is not proceeding this year,” said Pakula.
“We've made it very clear to fans that that's a decision for 2024,” he said, citing the investigation into last year’s race where a number of fans made their way onto the track during the final lap of the race.
“I expect that a number of passionate race fans will be unhappy about that, we understand that".”
“But we are still in the middle of an FIA process in relation to what happened last year, and it wouldn't be prudent of the corporation to have a track walk after the event.”
“In those circumstances, it was a difficult conversation at board level, but we have made the decision that for 2024, it won't proceed.”
There are multiple measures in place to warn fans that the practice will not go ahead this year, including a statement from the AGPC regularly displayed on big screens around the circuit.
Patrons will be sent a text message on race day, and messages have been placed at entry points to the track warning of the heavy penalties.
“There will be significant fines, up to $17,000, if people come onto the track and breach those rules,” said Pakula.
“We will have our police presence, as well as our own staff, who will be at all the access and egress points, but we are really asking the very passionate motor racing community to do the right thing.”
“If like us, they'd like to see this thing come back, it's really imperative that people behave properly in 2024.”
“We can't have a repeat of what happened last year.”
Team personnel in pit lane surrounded by fans at the 2023 Australian Grand Prix. (Mario Renzi/Formula 1/Getty Images)
Despite the lagging FIA investigation, Pakula stressed that the AGPC wants to practice to return.
“I want to be clear, I think everyone on the board and most of the people associated with the Australian Grand Prix would like to see it come back,” he said.
“It's a traditional part of the Australian Grand Prix that people can assemble underneath the podium after the race and come onto the track.”
“If it's possible to bring it back from 2025 and beyond, that's what we'd like to do. It's a conversation we'll need to have with F1, with the FIA, with government, but it's what we'd like to do.”
“But to be frank about it, whether or not we're able to do that will significantly depend on how people behave this year.”
Superintendent Adrian Healy, in charge of the police operation at the grand prix, said Victoria Police didn’t anticipate a need for extra officers to enforce the change.
“There’s been a lot of planning go into this, and there’s a specific plan around that,” he said.
“We’ll be working with security and all other stakeholders, including the AGPC, to enact that plan and work toward achieving that.”
“We have a certain amount of police on the footprint of the track, so that won’t increase this year and is similar to other years, but it will be responding to that plan we have in place.”
“So you will potentially see more police around the confines of the track.”
“It’s well enacted and we’re confident that it will work.”
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