F1: Protest blockades threaten Brazilian GP (2nd Update)

(GMM) Brazil’s automobile federation CBA has responded to reports that Ferrari equipment was stuck in transit to the Interlagos circuit.

Since Jair Bolsonaro reportedly lost the presidential election to left-wing candidate Lulu, huge protests and almost 400 road blockades have swept Brazil.

We reported on Wednesday that a truck carrying fabled Formula 1 team Ferrari’s equipment from the airport to Interlagos, just out of Sao Paulo, was caught up in the chaos.

“Yes, the convoy stopped shortly after leaving Viracopos (airport),” the CBA confirmed to Globo Esporte, “but it was quickly resolved by the military police.

“The equipment arrived at the scheduled time in Interlagos,” Brazil’s auto racing federation insisted.

According to the Russian news agency Tass, Formula 1 and the FIA are aware of the situation in Brazil and are monitoring it ahead of next weekend’s event.

F1 has confirmed that the Brazilian GP will go ahead as planned.

(GMM) A cloud has moved above next weekend’s Brazilian GP in the shape of thousands of determined protesters.

In the wake of the country’s presidential election, in which incumbent Jair Bolsonaro was defeated by the left-wing and mononymously-known Lula, huge protests and civil unrest has broken out.

So far, it has been in the form of demonstrations, riots and over 200 roadblocks – including the roads surrounding Sao Paulo’s international airport.

Specialist reports suggest that a transporter moving equipment belonging to Ferrari and perhaps other Formula 1 teams was stuck in the blockade.

Subsequent reports indicated the trucks eventually made their way to Interlagos, with Bolsonaro giving a speech calling on protesters to stop “impeding the right to come and go”.

Brazil’s infrastructure ministry, meanwhile, said it is working for free movement “to be resumed as soon as possible”.

“In addition to ensuring the right of our population to come and go, it is essential to maintain the operation of essential services and road freight transport,” the ministry added.