Over the course of the weekend, it’s estimated that 400,000 people visited the Northamptonshire circuit, which hosts F1 racing in the UK along with a string of protestors from Just Stop Oil who decided to protest during the British GP 2022
Police declared that they thought a possibly prominent protest was planned during the race, amid one of the biggest organisational and security operations of the year.
Know Who Are Just Stop Oil Group Whose Protestors Stormed Silverstone Midway During British Grand Prix 2022, Protest Video Goes Viral On Twitter
now listen. everyone has the right to protest. BUT when it endangers lives, it’s TOO FAR. not only were they putting their own lives at risk, but also the drivers and marshalls!!! unacceptable pic.twitter.com/ijsvVTaP3U
— em⁴ || BritishGP 🇬🇧 (@landonor4) July 3, 2022
Silverstone protest #silverstone #BritishGP #protest pic.twitter.com/gDfIwRKTDo
— Sam Kelly (@Ilovecats363829) July 3, 2022
Images of people on the track after the race had begun and been stopped due to a serious accident involving Zhou Guanyu subsequently started to circulate. These people appeared to have scaled the outer gates.
Journalist Helena Hicks claims that once the group sat down on the circuit, police responded quickly and removed them.
Who are the Silverstone protesters?
The protest was organised by a group calling for an end to the usage of fossil fuels called Just Stop Oil.
Two members of the group made headlines this week for holding still in front of well-known artwork in art institutions, including a Vincent van Gogh painting at the Courtauld Gallery in London and a JMW Turner piece at the Manchester Art Gallery.
The organisation declared on Twitter on Sunday: “We are requesting the government freeze all new licencing for fossil fuels. Our species’ survival depends on it. “It is our responsibility to create a stir and make people aware of our request. We’ll keep pushing back until we get what we want.”
When a Twitter user said they had endangered lives, the group responded: “A terrible accident already caused the race to be delayed. During the race’s break, the supporters of Just Stop Oil walked onto the track.”
This week, Northants Police disclosed that they had “credible intelligence” that protesters planned to trespass onto the racetrack to make their point. Because of the climate issue, there have been growing worries about how the sport affects the environment.
F1 has been working to enhance its reputation about the matter. The sport generates 256,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions per season, according to a comprehensive assessment that was published in 2019 and which leaders pledged to being net carbon negative by 2030.
The most well-known person to speak out on the issue has been Aston Martin driver Sebastian Vettel, who even wore a t-shirt warning that the Miami race in 2060 will be held underwater if more is not done now.
In response to inquiries regarding the effects of using fossil fuels and team transportation, Vettel criticised teams and drivers, including himself, for being hypocrites over climate change. Vettel wants to see a number of changes in Formula One, including a new timetable that would allow for more races every season.
What have the protest’s organisers said?
Stuart Pringle, the CEO of Silverstone, expressed his confidence that the “overriding aim” of a “safe and secure event for the spectators” will be successfully accomplished. “To ensure that we are properly prepared to manage such circumstances,” he continued.
Asserting that “stringent” procedures are in place and that “anyone thinking of taking advantage of the racing weekend to perpetrate a crime will be apprehended,” Thompson also urged the public to alert authorities to any suspicious activity.
Because of the size of the event, the police had already brought in additional staff, and Thompson stated that if demonstrators wanted to “promote a peaceful protest,” police would be happy to assist.