Theft and property damage: Police have launched several investigations during the Formula 1 race weekend in Silverstone
On the sidelines of the Formula 1 race weekend in Silverstone, there were several incidents at an exhibition of historic racing cars in honor of Eddie Jordan. Local authorities are now investigating.
Northamptonshire Police have released CCTV footage of a man they want to speak to in connection with a steering wheel theft at Silverstone. The steering wheel was removed from an older Formula 1 car at around 2:30 p.m. on Friday.
“The man in the image may be able to assist the police with their enquiries. He or anyone who recognizes him is asked to contact Northamptonshire Police,” said a statement from the police, who are treating the incident as case number 25000390674.
YouTubers taken into police custody
But that wasn’t the only incident during the race weekend: YouTubers “AngryGinge,” “Chazza,” and “SamHam” were arrested on the same day on suspicion of damaging one of the historic Formula 1 cars. The trio claimed they had been detained for 15 hours. All three deny the allegations.
In a statement, the police referred to “damage amounting to several thousand pounds” and explained that, according to eyewitness reports, someone had overcome the barriers and sat down in the now damaged vehicle.
It goes on to say: “Officers carried out initial investigations and identified suspects. Three men aged 23, 25, and 27 were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage to a vehicle and taken into police custody.”
Suspects released
However, the suspicion against the men was not substantiated and “all three men were released after a thorough investigation of the circumstances of the incident.”
The YouTubers subsequently spoke out on their social media channels. “AngryGinge,” whose real name is Morgan Burtwistle, said, among other things: “We were locked up just because we saw someone else sitting in a car.”
The police reported damage amounting to around 35,000 euros. The damaged car is said to be a former Racing Point race car, the predecessor of Aston Martin’s racing team. Both teams trace their roots back to the former Formula 1 team Jordan, which was once led by Eddie Jordan into the “premier class” and later sold.