Categorized | Featured Stories, News

British national named as Singapore F1 track intruder, charged

Singapore F1 GP Man on track

A 27-year-old British man, Yogvitam Pravin Dhokia, has been charged with committing a “rash act” after wandering onto the Marina Bay Street Circuit during Sunday’s F1 Singapore Grand Prix. The man could face six months in prison.

Race leader Sebastian Vettel was heard reporting over his team radio on lap 37 of the race, “There’s a man on the track. There’s a man on the track.” Dhokia was seen walking along the side of the Marina Bay Circuit and taking photographs while the F1 race was under way.

His action caused race officials to deploy the safety car to ensure he could be safely removed, before he jumped back over a security barrier. F1 officials are still investigating how he was able to get onto the track.

Singapore F1 GP Man on trackIn CCTV footage shown to media after the race, the man is seen to amble across the track after jumping through a gap in the wall.

On seeing the oncoming Vettel’s F1 car, he ran off the racing line to the side of the circuit before trying to take pictures on his smartphone. He then jumped over the nearby wall and was escorted away by security staff.

Yogvitam Pravin Dhokia appeared in court on Tuesday and was charged with committing a “rash act” that endangered safety. He was offered S$15,000, but Mr. Dhokia was unable to pay this figure saying he is not working and spent all his money to travel to the F1 Singapore Grand Prix. His passport has been impounded, with the next court hearing set for October 6.

Dhokia could face six months in prison and face a fine of S$2,500 for interrupting the F1 race. The British High Commission in Singapore confirmed the arrest of a British national and said it was ready to provide consular assistance”.

About Adele Groenendaal

Some say she's Murray Walker's illegitimate offspring. Others say she was a right wheel-gunner for the Lotus F1 team. All we know is Adele has high octane fuel running through her veins and Formula One is her passion. Follow Adele on Twitter @aprilrain500

Leave a Reply

twitter-2   facebook   rss 

Countdown to Next Race

weeks
-5
-4
days
0
-5
hours
-1
-4
minutes
-3
-6
seconds
-4
-9

Twitter

Facebook