Pirelli personnel targeted by robbers

Less than 48 hours after Mercedes F1 personnel escaped uninjured following a gunpoint robery outside the Interlagos track, and despite promises of a heightened police presence around the venue, a car driven by Pirelli tyre fitters was targeted by robbers.

It is understood the criminals attempted to force the car to stop but luckily the tyre company's staff were able to escape.

Although nothing was stolen and all the Pirelli crew were uninjured, the incident will prompt unease among F1 members because there had been promise of extra police.

Over the Brazilian GP event, Mercedes, Williams, and Sauber personnel were subject to attacks, while officials from the FIA were also approached by armed robbers before escaping unharmed.

Lewis Hamilton was left especially frustrated by the way in which there had been repeated incidents over the Brazilian GP.

"The most frustrating thing is that I've been in Formula 1 for 10 years and every single year that has happened to somebody in the paddock, and it continues to happen," he said.

"It's an issue I'm sure the government here are fighting, but I think maybe on this weekend, there are protocols that should be put in place to help, like for example when we go to Mexico, which weren't there for these guys.

"So I hope that moving forwards, and I think moving forwards, there will be those. And I think it should be for the whole paddock. That's partly F1's responsibility, but generally the people at the top need to take action to keep everyone safe.

"It's no good just the bosses having security and myself having security. People need to be looked after."

Security for this week's planned Pirelli tyre test at Interlagos, which is to be conducted by McLaren, is now being discussed.