FIA Investigate Belgian Police Actions at Spa

The Belgian Grand Prix's future could once again be under threat, as the FIA opened an investigation over the behaviour of the Belgian military police at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit. This, after policemen arrived at the circuit during the warm up lap of the Grand Prix and forcibly evacuated accredited photographers from the FIA-authorised La Source location.

Before every Grand Prix, FIA delegates review the circuits and determine authorised locations at various points for accredited photographers, which would allow them to safely take photographs during the various Formula One sessions and supporting motorsports event.

In Spa-Francorchamps, one of these locations was on the outside of La Source - a low speed corner that often sees cars overtaking each other or colliding at the start, and is therefore of importance to the photographers. The photography point is covered with appropriate safety fences and the photographers effectively only put their lenses through special holes.

After a weekend of taking pictures at the corner, come the beginning of the Belgian Grand Prix, the Belgian military police arrived at the scene and required the photographers to leave immediately, stating the location is dangerous.

"Just as the warm-up lap got to start, the police came over and said 'you can't stand here, it's dangerous'," recalls Sutton Images photographer, Mark Sutton. "We rang [FIA head of photography] Pat Behar and said the police want us to move, what do we do? But before he could even get there or help us out, the policemen became aggressive, started pushing us and even got the handcuffs out.

"I've been to Spa for over 10 years, and I've never been moved from that specific spot. For the Porsche race and the F3000 race we were there as well. So why suddenly this was not allowed? The FIA approved that corner. We're shooting through holes, we're covered. But they were so aggressive and threatening, there was nothing we could do, and while all this was happening the race started and we couldn't do our job."

The FIA would not comment on the incident, but sources said the governing body is furious at the incident and has opened an investigation into the matter. The incident would also be taken under consideration when determining the future of the Grand Prix, the sources said.

"This never happens at any other Grand Prix," Mark Sutton explained, "but there's always problems at Spa. My brother Keith got his camera confiscated at an authorised photography spot a few years ago, and another photographer got arrested because he wouldn't move.

"But in a Grand Prix, the FIA control what we do - the police are there to control the public. We weren't standing in the wrong position.

"It's really frustrating, and after this weekend I just don't feel like going back to Belgium anymore. I love the circuit, I just don't like the police there."

Photos of the incident can be found at the Atlas F1 Photo Gallery