F1 2017: Lewis Hamilton's Team Members Robbed At Gunpoint In Brazil

In a shocking news ahead of the Brazilian Grand Prix this Sunday, members of 2017 Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton's team were robbed at gunpoint in Brazil. The Mercedes-AMG F1 crew were returning back to their hotel from the Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace circuit in Sao Paulo, where their minibus was ambushed by armed men at around 10 pm (local time). In a series of tweets, Hamilton said that gunshots were fired and a member of the team even had a firearm held to their head. Thankfully though, no one from the crew was injured. In a statement, Mercedes said, "Valuables were stolen but everybody is safe and uninjured which is the main thing."

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 (@LewisHamilton) November 11, 2017

Lewis Hamilton tweeted about the incident saying, "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."

Brazil has a constant issue of law and order and there have been similar incidents in previous years. In fact, more such incidents happened around the same time as Hamilton's team members were being robbed. It is said that staff from the FIA's governing body and Williams F1 team crew members were also targeted in separate incidents but managed to escape unharmed. Once again, the incident has raised security concerns during the Brazilian GP.

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

— Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) November 11, 2017

Hamilton further tweeted, "This happens every single year here. F1 and the teams need to do more, there's no excuse!"

During the 2010 Brazilian GP, former world champion Jenson Button was ambushed by gunmen when he left the same track. Button, who was travelling with his late father John, trainer Mike Collier and manager Richard Goddard, escaped unharmed. The same evening, three Sauber engineers were robbed at gunpoint though but managed to escape unhurt.

In a bid to avoid such issues, mechanics and team staff have been advised against wearing branded team clothing away from the circuit. However, that can't be seen as a solution. Once again, the incident raises concerns over the security for F1 personnel in Brazil.