Police arrest man over Singapore Grand Prix track invasion

An unidentified man was seen walking briefly onto the track during the Singapore Grand Prix on Sept 20, 2015. ST PHOTO / JOSEPHINE WONG

SINGAPORE — A man who allegedly walked along the track during Sunday (Sept. 20) night’s Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix has been arrested by the police.

In a statement released after the race, the International Automobile Federation (FIA), Formula One’s governing body, said the 27-year-old, who was clad casually in T-shirt and shorts, was “assisting police with investigations”.

The unidentified man “went on to the track near Turn 13, triggering the deployment of the safety car”, it added.

It is waiting for a full report into the incident from the Clerk of the Course.

The incident, which took place on Lap 37, saw eventual race winner Sebastian Vettel screaming over Ferrari’s team radio: “There’s a man on the track! Man on the track!”

The trespasser climbed out of the track a few moments later.

After the race, Vettel told reporters: “It’s dangerous because we are going at 280-290kmh. I wouldn’t cross the road if I were him.

“Maybe next season, (the organizers) can block the grandstand. Fortunately, nothing happened to the drivers and to him.”

The last time someone invaded the track at an F1 race was in April at the Chinese Grand Prix. The man was arrested.