Dangerous Brazil

[DIW35]

Heard on the radio on the way home this evening that some members of the Mercedes Grand Prix were subject to being robbed at gunpoint when their minibus got held up.

I understand that no one was hurt, though one of the crew had a gun held to their head at one point during the ordeal, and no idea what the thieves got away with.

It's been mentioned in the past that Brazil can be a pretty dangerous place, so is it time to remove it from the racing calendar following this incident?

[poo at Paul's]

I think this happened a few years ago also, to one of the teams> One of the South American races, maybe even Brazil.

Sao Paulo is a sthole, sadly.

[egor110]

wasn't jenson button robbed years back ?

[HSV_V8]

I'm out here at the moment and it is very concerning but something which seems to happen most years and I'm sure has done at several other circuits we visit. It's a difficult one to deal with, the circuit is basically inside a favella, there is a big police presence in the daytime but nothing so obvious at night when the we finish late.
I don't really know what the answer is but one thing for sure is that luckily nobody got hurt or worse, apparently there were also shots fired towards other vehicles when they tried to evade the robbers, life is cheap out in these parts.

[skinny]

Been happening for ages - circuit is in a pretty rough part of town.

I got my head mashed in by the sharp end of a gun a few years back coming through there after a race.

As above, the people there don't have much to lose

[Bo_apex]

Right handed corners are particularly dangerous !

[Mr Tidy]

DIW35 said:

Heard on the radio on the way home this evening that some members of the Mercedes Grand Prix were subject to being robbed at gunpoint when their minibus got held up.

I understand that no one was hurt, though one of the crew had a gun held to their head at one point during the ordeal, and no idea what the thieves got away with.

It's been mentioned in the past that Brazil can be a pretty dangerous place, so is it time to remove it from the racing calendar following this incident?

It has been like that for years - why would you go to a race in a sh*thole if you had already won the WDC? I wouldn't!

But I'm sure Bernie made millions from it!

Hopefully the new management will find better alternatives!

[DS240]

A known issue for many years.

It wouldn’t take much for F1 or indeed the teams to organize and pay a fee for the police overtime, so basically every time a team car comes and goes to their hotel they have a heavily armed escort.

Not many would chance their luck with BOPE riding along!

[anonymous-user]

It is a old school track.

Yes there needs to be a security overhaul but it is one of the best tracks of the season.

Only Spa, Monza and Suzuka is worthy a mention.

Yes Monaco and Silverstone have the history as well but both are lacking.

[paul789]

Sao Paulo truly is a 'hole. Parts of it are almost post-apocalyptic in their atmosphere.

Especially enjoyed the long drive to the airport next to a dead, black waterway.

[mike80]

As my boss put it when I went there a few years ago "there's a lot of poverty in the world, and most of it is around that track".

I was there for the WEC so it wasn't as high profile, but waiting for a taxi on the street outside was interesting! The drive even more so...

Where we were staying seemed OK, it felt safe walking around, but a lot of the city was eye opening to say the least.

[Doink]

So that's merc and sauber and now pirelli have been attacked, not a very good advert is it for keeping Brazil on the calendar

http://www.planetf1.com/news/more-security-issues-...

[thegreenhell]

Doink said:

So that's merc and sauber and now pirelli have been attacked

And Williams, and the FIA.

[Doink]

Of course yes I forgot them, I thought was more, clearly the scumbags over there aren't bothered about the supposed extra police presence, shame if it went but it wouldn't surprise me if this was the beginning of the end for the GP

[cuprabob]

McLaren cancels tyre test amid security concerns...

'McLaren's Brazil tyre test cancelled'

http://www.skysports.com/share/11125090

[DeltonaS]

cuprabob said:

McLaren cancels tyre test amid security concerns...

'McLaren's Brazil tyre test cancelled'

http://www.skysports.com/share/11125090

Biggest news from that article:

"I'm very close with all the guys"

I always thought team Hamilton consisted of just a single person.

[denibop]

I think the government of Brazil is doing effort in decreasing the criminal rate in the country so the racing society should not easily give up on this beautiful place with great roads to offer.

[paul789]

denibop said:

I think the government of Brazil is doing effort in decreasing the criminal rate in the country so the racing society should not easily give up on this beautiful place with great roads to offer.

Er, pardon me for jumping on the bandwagon, but.....bot?

[jbudgie]

paul789 said:

denibop said:

I think the government of Brazil is doing effort in decreasing the criminal rate in the country so the racing society should not easily give up on this beautiful place with great roads to offer.

Er, pardon me for jumping on the bandwagon, but.....bot?

Weird post 'for sure'.

[99dndd]

I heard that the circuit is up for sale. I wonder if the new owners could consider building a big hotel inside the circuit grounds.