Police arrest seven eco-zealots after Just Stop Oil protesters risk their lives and the drivers storming the Silverstone track in idiotic and dangerous protest at British Grand Prix
- Protestors stormed the track and sat down at the British Grand Prix today
- Seven were arrested for running onto Silverstone after the first lap crash
- The protestors were dragged away by marshals as cars headed for the pits
Seven people have been arrested for running onto the track after the first lap crash at the British Grand Prix.
The Alfa Romeo, driven by Zhou Guanyu, slid upside down across the track before slamming into the tyre barrier and being launched into the fencing at the start of the Silverstone race.
Following this, protestors broke on to the circuit and sat down, while the contest was immediately red flagged and cars headed for the pits.
The protestors were quickly dragged away by marshals as drivers sped by.
Seven people have been arrested after they ran onto the track at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone today (Pictured: marshals dragging protestors as a car drives by)
The protestors sat down on the track after the huge crash on the first lap but were quickly dragged to the side
Climate activist group Just Stop Oil took to Twitter to claim responsibility for the dangerous protest
The race was red flagged after Zhou Guanyu crashed on the first lap (pictured)
Northamptonshire Police, who made an appeal before the race asking potential protestors to not put lives at risk with an on-track protest, later confirmed a string of arrests.
Climate activist group Just Stop Oil have taken responsibility for the protest.
On Twitter, the group wrote: ‘A group of supporters of Just Stop Oil have stormed the track at #BritishGP2022 If you are more outraged about this disruption than our world being burnt before our eyes, then you need to get your priorities straight.
‘We demand the government calls an immediate halt to new oil and gas projects in the UK and we will continue to disrupt sports, cultural events and oil until this demand is met. How many more young people have to step up before the government will listen?’
Northamptonshire Police had offered ‘to facilitate a peaceful event at the circuit’
All seven who ran onto the track are currently in custody where their details are being ascertained
Event commander chief inspector Tom Thompson, ‘I’m really disappointed that this group of people ignored our warnings prior to race-day and made the incredibly dangerous decision to enter the track.
‘We offered to facilitate a peaceful event at the circuit but they instead chose to put the lives of the drivers, marshals and volunteers at risk. It is incredibly disappointing that anyone would make the decision to do this.
‘Thankfully we had plans in place for an eventuality such as this and the group were swiftly removed and arrested by our officers.
‘All seven are currently in custody where their details are being ascertained.
‘Finally, I would like to thank all of the officers and staff, as well as our partners, who have worked tirelessly on this policing operation. Generally we have had very low crime rates, today’s incident was dealt with effectively and efficiently, and I could not have asked for more.’
Zhou escaped serious injury in the crash and the race was resumed after a 53-minute delay.
‘We confirm that after the red flag, several people attempted to enter the track,’ said an FIA spokesperson.
‘These people were immediately removed and the matter is now being dealt with by the local authorities.’
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