Mercedes F1 team robbed at gunpoint

Lewis Hamilton has demanded Formula One’s owners take significant action after eight members of his world championship-winning Mercedes team were held at gunpoint in a harrowing robbery on Friday night.

The incident occurred at 10pm local time shortly after the crew — consisting mainly of mechanics — had left the Interlagos circuit.

One of the team members had a gun held to his head while shots were fired by the armed men.

Watches, laptops and passports were stolen.

“I was horrified to hear what had happened. I am very close to those guys,” Hamilton said after he crashed out of qualifying on Saturday.

“The frustrating thing is I have been in F1 for 10 years and every year that has happened to someone in the paddock.

“Things should be in place to keep everyone safe. And it’s for the people at the top to take action to keep everyone safe.”

In an earlier incident on Friday evening, a car transporting FIA officials was targeted by three masked assailants — two of whom were brandishing guns — with one cracking a gun on the passenger window.

The three FIA staff escaped unharmed due to their quick-thinking driver.

In a third flashpoint, members of the British-based Williams’ team had a narrow escape after a van was held up in front of their minibus as they headed back to their hotel.

“We shouldn’t need armed vehicles, bulletproof cars or armed agents to make it safe from the track to the hotel,” Mercedes chief Toto Wolff said.

“They have ramped up security this morning. It looked like civil war had broken out on the streets. Let’s see how we go tonight.”

Hamilton’s Mercedes team are now set to travel in convoy for the remainder of the weekend.

British team McLaren will also ride in tandem, with a police escort.

Formula One chairman Chase Carey refused to comment on the incidents in Sao Paulo when asked by Press Association Sport.

However, the FIA later said: “The circuit has informed all of the events stakeholders that the Sao Paulo police force has taken additional measures after these regrettable incidents.

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

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