Leading figures in F1 have warned Just Stop Oil campaigners not to put lives at risk at this weekend's British Grand Prix.
A year ago, the iconic race at Silverstone was marred amid frightening scenes on the opening lap, when six spectators ran onto the track after Zhou Guanyuan suffered a crash in his Alfa Romeo. It turned out the individuals were from the protest group, and in February this year were convicted of causing a public nuisance.
And such unsavoury scenes have now become a common theme throughout other major sporing events, with campaigners disrupting the World Snooker Championship by pouring powder onto the table cloths. Last week's controversial Ashes Test at Lord's also halted on the opening day, as a group tried to make their way onto the wicket, only to be intercepted by players.
But speaking outside Downing Street on Thursday, Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali and Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has stern words for those planning any form of protest: "We are not here to dispute opinion on things - but (dispute) things that are getting dangerous," said Domenicalli.
"And destroying an event that 100,000 people come to I think is totally wrong. There are ways of doing what you want to do but this is totally unacceptable and I hope that people understand that there is not the space to find the right place."
Wolff also argued that detractors should recognise the sport is making great strides in becoming more environmental: "Our industry is trailblazing in sustainability, we have sustainable fuels and in 2026 it will be 100% sustainable fuel," he said. "And the technology and innovation in Formula 1 is important to achieve those emission standards."
HAVE YOUR SAY! Have the Just Stop Oil protests gone too far? Comment below.
The Austrian also warned that with "cars driving at 200 mph," protestors risk endangering multiple lives: "We wouldn't want to have anybody being at risk," he added. "Spectators, fans or themselves. You're seriously putting people at harm (if you go on the track)."
McLaren driver Lando Norris also joined the chorus, labelling the behaviour witnessed 12 months ago as a "stupid thing to do." Speaking at his team's Woking factory at the reveal of their new Google Chrome car livery, he said: “It is a very selfish thing to do at the same time because of the consequences it has on the person who drives the car if something happens.
“Everyone has a right (to protest) and I guess there are good ways of doing it and worse ways. I hope people are smart enough not to do it. There are much safer ways to get just as much attention and do what they want to do.”
