After the United States Grand Prix, crowds of spectators from the grandstands opposite the pit lane poured onto the start-finish straight, despite cars still being on the track for their cooldown laps.

The FIA estimated that this dangerous feat included approximately 200 individuals, who climbed over a fence, droppedtwo meters down, and bypassed a catch fence and barrier to access the track.

While some tracks on the F1 calendar offer organized so called "track invasions" for spectators, entering a track like this is regarded as a significant violation of the FIA's safety protocols.

Therefore, this action directly breaches Article 12.2.1.h of the 2024 FIA International Sporting Code: “failure to take reasonable measures thus resulting in an unsafe situation.”

In its 12 years of hosting F1, this is the first time COTA has had this type of violation. Because of that, €350,000 of the fine is on hold until December 31, 2026, as long as there are no more track invasions during any FIA Championship Event at this circuit before that date.

Additionally, the Austin race promoters must submit a plan to the FIA by the end of 2024. This plan should detail how they will prevent future track invasions and check for any other potential security issues at the circuit.

Something similar has already happened at this year’s Canadian Grand Prix in June, when fans onto the circuit, while cars were still on track.