A spectator was expelled from the Dutch Grand Prix after throwing a smoke bomb onto the track
Just as it had barely begun, the qualifications for the Dutch Grand Prix had to be interrupted due to a red flag caused by the presence of a smoke bomb on the Zandvoort track. Once identified, the fan was expelled.
During the F1 qualifying session that took place this Saturday afternoon in Zandvoort, Netherlands, a fan threw an orange smoke bomb onto the track, despite it being prohibited within the event premises.
It was necessary to interrupt the session for about 10 minutes with a red flag, while the officials obtained permission to intervene, and then the qualifying session was restarted. Identified by security cameras, the FIA declared that the person responsible for the incident had been expelled from the circuit premises.
Smoke bombs are a recent phenomenon in Formula 1. They have appeared in recent seasons during the travels of Max Verstappen’s many fans, and they have become popular this year, despite the ban on having them within the confines of the Grand Prix venues.
Although the show becomes more intense with smoke bombs, they do indeed hinder the view of the race for the spectators behind and pose a danger in case of burns or projectiles on the track. However, spectators entering Formula 1 circuits are not searched. It is therefore logical to easily smuggle such a discreet smoke bomb.
Max Verstappen reacted in a press conference after the qualifying session: “Holding a smoke bomb is fun, but there is a limit to how many they should light. But throwing them onto the track is just stupid. And I believe that the person responsible has been expelled… It shouldn’t be done, it’s not good for anyone.”
On his part, Carlos Sainz Jr. aims to be more educational and would like to inform the fans more about when it is possible to light smoke flares and when it is prohibited.
