Four protestors arrested at F1 British GP

An investigation has been opened by Silverstone and Northamptonshire Police after four protestors were arrested for targeting Formula 1’s British Grand Prix.

Four members of the environmentalist group Extinction Rebellion were arrested after gaining access to the Silverstone track and unfurling a banner at Club corner, which was picked up by the television cameras as the F1 cars began their formation lap.

The 2020 British Grand Prix was held as a closed event race due to F1’s stringent COVID-19 protocols and Northamptonshire police had already issued a statement urging fans to stay away from the back-to-back grands prix at Silverstone.

It is believed the members of the group gained access to the circuit using ladders. The four were led away from the circuit by marshals before being detained and arrested by the police.

"During the race, Northamptonshire Police were made aware of four people who had been detained by Silverstone security inside the venue perimeter," a statement from Silverstone read.

"Officers are working closely with Silverstone Circuit and conducting a full investigation. Four people have been arrested and are in police custody."

F1 was previously targeted by protesters at the Belgian Grand Prix in 2013 when Greenpeace staged a protest against the race’s then-title sponsor Shell.

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton won Sunday’s British Grand Prix after liming his car to the finish despite picking up a puncture on the final lap of the race. Red Bull's Max Verstappen finished just 5.8s behind in second place, as Valtteri Bottas failed to score after suffering his own puncture late on.