Thousands of pounds of damage at British GP classic cars as fan antics backfire

Dubai: Lando Norris confirmed his resurgence in the Formula One title race with a stunning home win at the British Grand Prix on Sunday — but the celebrations at Silverstone were overshadowed by two alarming fan-related incidents that drew police intervention and raised concerns about security at major motorsport events.

The 25-year-old Briton delivered a masterclass in front of a 130,000-strong Friday crowd and an estimated 500,000 across the weekend, taking his fourth win of the season — and second in as many weeks after triumphing in Austria — to move within eight points of McLaren teammate and current championship leader Oscar Piastri.

However, the event took a turn off-track on Friday, when two separate incidents involving fans caused damage to classic F1 cars on display around the circuit.

In one case, popular Twitch streamer Angryginge — real name Morgan Burtwistle — was arrested alongside fellow YouTubers Charlie Clark (Chazza) and Samuel Imie (SamHam) on suspicion of criminal damage, BCC reported. The trio had filmed themselves attempting to squeeze into the cockpit of a 2019 Racing Point F1 car, part of a public display at Silverstone. The stunt, live-streamed online, reportedly resulted in several thousand pounds’ worth of damage.

Northamptonshire Police confirmed the arrests of three men aged 23, 25 and 27, who were taken into custody on suspicion of causing criminal damage to a vehicle.

A Northamptonshire Police spokesperson told The Race: “On Friday, July 4, Northamptonshire Police received a report that a classic Formula 1 car on display at Silverstone Circuit during the British Grand Prix event had sustained several thousands of pounds worth of damage, which was alleged to have been caused by someone accessing the display stand and climbing into the vehicle.

All three were later released without further action following a “thorough investigation,” the police said.

In a vlog posted Monday, Burtwistle, who has 1.3 million followers on Twitch and has played in Soccer Aid and the Baller League, claimed the group was held in police cells for 15 hours. “I’m genuinely traumatised,” he told his followers, while denying they caused any damage.

On the same day, a separate and more brazen act took place when a different ticketholder was caught on CCTV allegedly stealing a steering wheel from a classic F1 car. The man first attempted to remove the wheel from a Brabham BT59 before climbing into a neighbouring 1990 Leyton House CG901 and walking off with its original steering wheel — a piece said to be irreplaceable due to its historical value.

“You can’t sell it — it’s a one-off,” said a member of Martin Stretton Racing, which manages the car. “A new wheel would cost two and a half grand, but this one has history.”

The police said they are still seeking the man involved in the theft and have encouraged anyone with information to come forward via the non-emergency line 101.

While Norris’ win gave home fans something to cheer about, the off-track incidents have cast a shadow over what was meant to be one of the sport’s marquee weekends.