Mexican GP caps paddock attendance to improve security

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Promoters for the Mexican Grand Prix and F1 have taken measures to reduce paddock attendance at this weekend’s race to avoid a repeat of last year’s security issues at the venue.

In 2022 at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, a paddock overcrowded with outsiders and VIPs led to congestion that hindered the movement of drivers and team members in their workspace, often resulting in their tardy arrival at meetings or appointments.

But F1’s jam-packed workspace also instilled a sense of insecurity for some, including Pierre Gasly who noticed that intrusive fans had opened his backpack as he was making his way to his team’s motorhome.

The overpopulated area, not only in Mexico but at many other venues as well, is the result of F1’s attempts to open itself up more to outsiders, only for drivers to now remain consigned to their private spaces with their team’s infrastructure as much as possible.

Read also: Verstappen to receive security detail protection in Mexico

But for this weekend’s event, the Mexican Grand Prix organisers have done their best to keep the paddock’s attendance at a reasonable number.

“We have been working hand in hand with Formula 1 to see how we can reduce the requests," said the race's marketing director Rodrigo Sanchez.

"There are a lot of requests from teams and sponsors that are coming in and we have to find a way to keep those lists as small as possible, so that we can have a much more comfortable environment in the paddock."

Taking a proactive approach, organizers launched a marketing campaign to urge fans on site to respect drivers and remember that the paddock is a workplace first and foremost.

"The paddock is a working area for the drivers and for the teams," added Sanchez.

"Those few who have the privilege of being able to enter this restricted part of the racetrack, should know how to behave in a certain way and ask them to have an exemplary behaviour. Otherwise, the race cannot work."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.