F1 | Australian GP under investigation by FIA: changes expected for 2024 Melbourne edition

F1 | Australian GP under investigation by FIA: changes expected for 2024 Melbourne edition. The FIA is conducting an investigation into the Australian Grand Prix.

The FIA is conducting an investigation into the Australian Grand Prix, which will undergo changes in the 2024 edition.

The Australian Grand Prix is scheduled to take place from March 22 to 24, 2024, but fans might witness some radical changes. As you may recall, last year’s edition was a complete chaos.

The race concluded with the customary victory for Max Verstappen, but not without penalties, red flags, and cars retiring. It was a true disaster for Ferrari: Leclerc knocked out after a collision with Stroll just after the start; Carlos Sainz, on the other hand, despite a strong Grand Prix, had to endure a penalty following contact with Fernando Alonso, who, starting from fourth, relegated him to twelfth, thus outside the points zone.

The chaos didn’t only occur on the track but also off it. According to regulations, fans can enter the track once the race is over, under the supervision of stewards who must guide them to the safest places. However, last year, several fans managed to bypass security systems and enter the track before the race had concluded. This happened after the fourth red flag and before the restart.

Some of them reached one of the stationary cars, which was not in a safe condition. The car still had a flashing red light, indicating that the electrical systems were still active.

The organizers of the Australian Grand Prix were then summoned and judged to be in violation of Article 12.2.1.h of the FIA International Sporting Code.

Almost a year after the incident, the investigation is still ongoing. For 2024, the Australian Grand Prix will undergo changes that fans will have to adhere to.

“The Australian Grand Prix Corporation advises that, due to the ongoing FIA investigation into the track invasion at the conclusion of the 2023 event, there will be no access to the track for patrons following the 2024 Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix,” reads the statement released by the organizers. Decisions regarding patron access to the track at the conclusion of future events will be made at a later date.”