F1 paddock security increased with 'heavy reinforcements' after robbery

A minibus carrying Mercedes personnel was held up at gunpoint after leaving the track, as robbers stole valuables. Fortunately no-one was hurt.

With members of Williams, and officials from the FIA, also experiencing close calls as armed robbers targeted F1 personnel, the issue of safety became a big talking point on qualifying day.

Lewis Hamilton said it was "frustrating" that similar incidents seemed to occur on a regular basis at the Brazilian GP, adding that he felt "the people at the top need to take action to keep everyone safe".

In response to the situation, extra security has been arranged to help protect the public around the Interlagos circuit.

A statement issued by the FIA said: "The circuit has informed all of the events stakeholders that the São Paulo police force has taken additional measures after these regrettable incident

"Heavy police reinforcements will be on duty for the remainder of the event."

F1 personnel have also been advised to remove passes and change out of team uniform to prevent being singled out by criminals for attack.

Hamilton, speaking before the extra measures were announced, added: "I hope there is some way we can move forward so that doesn't happen ever again.

"I was horrified to hear what happened - I'm very close with all the guys who got pulled aside.

"You can't imagine what they are feeling or going through at the time.

"It's no good just the bosses having security and myself having security. It should be for the whole paddock."

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said that teams should not have to face such situations, that have now become common around Brazil's F1 race.

"We shouldn't be needing armed vehicles, bulletproof cars, agents in order to make it safe from the race track to the hotel," he said.

"But then this is the circumstances and maybe our approach in the past was a bit lenient; easy, because Brazil is a cool country.

"But it must have been a really scary moment for the guys.

"We all left just about at the same time at 10 o'clock, and being stopped and having a gun pointed at you must be awful.

"When we came to the circuit it looked like civil war broke out - so many police officers were on the track. Let's see what happens tonight, but it shouldn't happen."