Hamilton calls for greater F1 security action in Brazil

Lewis Hamilton has called on Formula 1 officials to shore up security measures in the future for the Brazilian Grand Prix after a number of his fellow Mercedes team members were robbed at gunpoint on Friday night.

A Mercedes minibus carrying a number of crew members was targeted by armed robbers while leaving the Interlagos circuit on Friday night. While none of the individuals involved were injured, valuables were stolen.

Hamilton vented his frustration about the recurring incidents at the Brazilian Grand Prix on Twitter on Saturday, before issuing a call on F1 officials and race promoters to ensure the episodes are prevented in the future.

"When I heard about it I was horrified to hear what had happened. I’m very close with all the guys that were pulled aside and you can’t imagine what they were feeling or going through at the time," Hamilton said.

"After that the most frustrating thing is that I’ve been in Formula 1 for 10 years and every single year that has happened to somebody in the paddock. It continues to happen, and I know that’s an issue that the government here is fighting, but maybe on this weekend there should be protocols that are put in place to help.

"For example, when we go to Mexico there were protocols that weren’t there for these guys and I just hope and think that moving forward there will be. I think it should be for the whole paddock, and I think that is partly Formula 1's responsibility but generally the people at the top need to take action to keep everyone safe. It’s no good just the bosses and myself having security, I think everyone needs to be looked after.

"n a bigger scale of things I just hope that there is growth and movement in Sao Paulo because Brazil is such a great place, such a great culture here, the people are beautiful here and the energy is amazing every time we come. I never personally see any dangerous things happening but of course I know there is a lot of poverty here and the crime rate, I don’t know how high it is, but I know that they have had that for years.

"I didn’t want to bring negativity to Brazil because there is so much positivity every time we come and it’s an amazing grand prix that I love coming to and we love coming to, but I hope that there is some way we can move forward where it doesn’t happen ever again."