Several Formula 1 drivers including Scuderia Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and the McLaren’s Lando Norris have shared their concerns regarding the number of fans that are allowed to enter the Formula 1 paddock during the race weekends. According to several reports, Formula 1 drivers discussed about this matter on Friday evening’s briefing in Mexico City as supporter access has become a big problem.
This comes after many drivers reported a negative atmosphere in the paddock, with fans pulling them around. Pierre Gasly confirmed the issue was brought into discussion during the private drivers’ briefing before the Mexican Grand Prix race weekend at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.
The Frenchman admitted that he was even scared not to be “mobbed” by fans and added that he preferred to stay in AlphaTauri’s hospitality centre all weekend in order to avoid any uncomfortable situations: “We’re working here, and obviously we give time for the fans when we can. But this weekend I didn’t dare come out of the hospitality, because otherwise you get mobbed. And sometimes it gets quite hectic. I arrived at the hospitality yesterday morning with my bag with my passport open, and I didn’t even feel it. We talked about it in the driver’s briefing. I think it’s great, and also to see kids and people really enjoying it, but just maybe find a way where they can understand where to reach us, and when to give us a bit more space.” – Pierre Gasly added.
Scuderia Ferrari Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc said it was “always crazy” but at the same time he pointed out that Formula 1 should look for a solution in order to allow drivers to “walk a bit easier in the paddock”.
Drivers also complained of a lack of respect for their personal space as demand from the fans rises. Motorsport informed that some even had to be ushered through a back route after the qualifying session at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, while George Russell’s post-qualifying media interview was interrupted by a fan who had asked for the Mercedes driver to go over.
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McLaren’s Lando Norris has been one of the most vocal on this matter, feeling that older fans are trying to push the boundaries. He said:
“I love having the fans in here, especially when it’s kids and stuff. And in a way, you can’t control what they do, like kids are kids, that’s cool. They’re looking up to us as being in our place one day, and dreaming of what we’re doing and, and we’re the idols and heroes and so on. I think that’s just that’s cool, that’s fun, that’s life. But I guess more for the older people and so on there’s not as much respect for just personal space and things like that as what there should be. They should feel lucky enough to be in the paddock, and get to be as close as they are to us.” – the British driver concluded.
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