Mercedes F1 team held at gunpoint in Brazil

Mercedes F1 team held at gunpoint, shots fired

Lewis Hamilton and the Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team comment following incident in Brazil. Lewis Hamilton is angry with the situation. Most importantly, that it’s not the first time this has happened to a F1 team in Brazil.

F1 is a multi-billon dollar traveling circus. The GDP of F1 alone is massive. So large, that if F1 was a country, it would be considered a super power.

The Mercedes AMG Petronas team became a target while leaving the paddock last night following practice sessions in Brazil. Members of the championship winning team were held at gunpoint. Shots were fired and guns were pointed at their heads. The gun was not pointed at their heads when fired.

Regardless, tt’s a horrible thing to hear and an unimaginable situation to be placed in. Yet, this isn’t the first time this has happened during the F1 race in Brazil.

Mercedes F1 team held at gunpoint in Brazil
Mercedes F1 team held at gunpoint in Brazil

Brazil has a crime issue. The highest murder rate per capita list tells the story. Of the top 50 cities in the world as far as murder rates, Brazil has 22 cities on the list.

There’s 30-35 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants. In 2016, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, there were 61,619 murders or on average 168 murders per day in Brazil.

The race this weekend is being hosted in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The Brazilian Grand Prix takes place at the Autodromo José Carlos Pace circuit. It’s the second to last race of the 2017 F1 season.

The Mercedes F1 Team has already clinched the championship. Two championships actually, the have clinched both the drivers’ and constructors’ championship for 2017.

Lewis Hamilton wants to know why this happens when F1 comes to Brazil? Read his comments below.

Mercedes AMG F1 Team
Mercedes AMG F1 Team

Comments

Lewis Hamilton: “Some of my team were held up at gun point last night leaving the circuit here in Brazil. Gun shots fired, gun held at ones head. This is so upsetting to hear. Please say a prayer for my guys who are here as professionals today even if shaken.”

Lewis Hamilton: “This happens every single year here. F1 and the teams need to do more, there’s no excuse!”

The Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team was then questioned by fans. Why did this happen? Did the team not have security?

Mercedes AMG crew
Mercedes AMG crew

Mercedes AMG: “We operate with specialist security advisors and train our personnel in case incidents like this occur. But as last night has shown, there is even more we can do – as a team and as a sport.

Qualifying has just begun in Brazil. The race will air live tomorrow morning. In America, the race will air on NBCSN beginning at 10AM et.

Author: Shane Walters

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Autodromo José Carlos Pace Circuit | Mercedes F1 | Lewis Hamilton | F1 | Shane Walters

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