Journalists worry about safety in Brazil ahead of F1’s penultimate meeting in 2022
The Brazilian Grand Prix, held at the Interlagos circuit on the outskirts of São Paulo, is undoubtedly the most stressful and worrying event for journalists every year. Political tension is not helping to calm things down this season.
While the championship has a staggering 22 events scheduled for 2022, taking journalists and drivers across the world to all continents except Africa, concern in Brazil is still at its peak as the Grand Prix is set to begin in a few days.
If ethical criticism focuses on Saudi Arabia, Azerbaijan, Qatar, or Bahrain, it is in Brazil that the meeting is most stressful from a security point of view for team personnel, pilots, as well as photographers and journalists.
Photographers carry thousands of Euros worth of photographic equipment with them and are not as supervised as F1 staff or pilots. Transferred by taxi from São Paulo to their hotels, it is not uncommon to hear stories of theft every year. Snatch thefts, of course, with some photographers having their watches stolen, for example, but also in more surprising circumstances. For instance, taxis leaving without their passenger once the luggage is placed in the trunk.
In 2010, Button as well as some personnel from the Sauber team were apprehended on the road. A few years earlier, Toyota personnel had been kidnapped for ransom. In 2018, there were other incidents that caused panic in the paddock, with failed attempts to attack Sauber and Pirelli personnel, despite a security route set up by the police. While things have calmed down in recent years, the geopolitical context of the presidential election created tensions between Bolsonaro supporters and Lula supporters, who had just been elected as the new President of Brazil. These tensions can disrupt security.
The freight for the installation of equipment in the paddock was notably disrupted by several barricades set up by protesters, and eventually escorted by military police to reach the circuit.
To avoid any attempts, the staff travels incognito in São Paulo. Normally dressed in their team uniforms, they mostly dress casually to blend in upon arrival at the circuit, in order not to draw attention to their presence.
It should be noted, however, that Formula 1 personnel, drivers, or executives are subject to higher risks everywhere. In London, for example, Bernie Ecclestone was heavily assaulted in 2010. Lando Norris, in 2021 at Wembley during a Euro football match, also suffered an assault, still in the United Kingdom. More recently, this season in Italy, Charles Leclerc had his watch stolen before the Grand Prix.
