Robberies put future of Brazil race in doubt

A fourth vehicle carrying Formula One personnel was attacked in the streets around Interlagos over the race weekend, raising further questions about the future of the Brazilian Grand Prix.

Staff at Sauber were the latest to be targeted, with their van deliberately hit by another car, before armed robbers approached.

Ruth Buscombe, the Swiss team’s senior strategy engineer, posted a picture of the damaged van online. She said: “We even left at an odd time, late, but they either followed us or were alerted to a van heading that way, past the end of the police presence near the track.”

After almost identical assaults on cars carrying members of Mercedes, Williams and the FIA – F1’s governing body – doubts have been raised about Sao Paulo’s suitability to host a race if safety cannot be guaranteed. In the Mercedes robbery, one employee had a gun held to his head while telephones, wallets and other valuables were stolen, as well as passports.

Those affected have had to have replacement documents arranged to enable them to fly home.

Lewis Hamilton was adamant that the sport, whose owners Liberty Media failed to release any official statement about the incidents, needed to do more to ensure the travelling band’s welfare.

“I was horrified to hear what had happened,” Hamilton said. “I’m very close with all the guys who got pulled aside and you can’t imagine what they were feeling or going through at the time. It should be an issue for the whole paddock. People at the top need to take action to keep everyone safe. It’s not good just the bosses having security.”