Access for approved media will be confined to the pit wall: FIA

Formula One’s governing body ordered an immediate clampdown on access to the pitlane on Tuesday after a television cameraman was struck and injured by a bouncing wheel at last weekend’s German Grand Prix. The International Automobile Federation (FIA) said in a statement that only authorised team personnel and event marshals would be allowed to work in the pitlane during qualifying sessions and the race. “Access for approved media will be confined to the pit wall,” it stated.

British cameraman Paul Allen suffered a broken collarbone and fractured ribs in the incident when Australian Mark Webber pulled away from the Red Bull pits without the car’s rear right wheel being properly attached. The wheel, weighing some 10 kg, then flew off and bounced down the pitlane, missing Mercedes mechanics before hitting Allen on the back to injure him.