Grand Prix protester arrested

Police are questioning the Grand Prix protestor

A man who walked into the path of racing cars at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone has been detained by police.

Several of the Formula One cars had to take avoiding action when the man got on to the fastest part of the Northamptonshire track, the flat-out Hangar Straight.

Wearing kilt and a tam o'shanter, he paraded in the middle of the track, with religious banners pinned to his clothing.

Jaguar's Antonio Pizzonia passed within feet of the man at well over 100mph.

Race officials scrambled the safety car to reduce speed and prevent overtaking while a steward finally ended the protest, rugby-tackling the man to the ground.

The safety people will have a look at it Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone

He was led away by police and the race resumed.

Northamptonshire police confirmed a 56-year-old man had been arrested on suspicion of aggravated trespass and that questioning was continuing.

"The man was detained before the race restarted and he is being spoken to at the moment," said a police spokesman.

His actions came at a bad time for Silverstone, with the British Grand Prix already the subject of stinging criticism from Formula One ringmaster Bernie Ecclestone and FIA president Max Mosley.

A marshall tackles the protestor

"The safety people will have a look at it. It means that the security wasn't good," said Mr Ecclestone.

"I don't know how he actually got on, that's what we need to look at.

"When somebody does those sorts of things, I don't know what you do about it."

But he reassured Silverstone that the British Grand Prix would not be punished for the incident.

Martin Brundle, chairman of the British Racing Drivers' Club which owns the track, admitted during his commentary for ITV that the incident was "the last thing this event needed".