British GP hero recalls moment 'lunatic' protestor ran into path of 200mph cars

07 July 2023 , 10:07

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Neil Horan disrupted the 2003 British Grand Prix (Image: ITV)

Just Stop Oil could disrupt this Sunday's British Grand Prix - but it won't be the first time such a protest has occurred at Silverstone.

The environmental activists, who want the UK Government to stop licensing all new oil, gas and coal projects, have disrupted a number of sporting events this year - including the men's Ashes, the World Snooker Championship and Wimbledon.

The controversial group targeted last year's British GP, with four men and two women receiving suspended prison sentences for invading the Silverstone track. Formula One chiefs fear the same could happen at Silverstone on Sunday.

The most remarkable track invasion to happen at Silverstone came 20 years ago when Neil Horan sprinted up the Hangar Straight. Cars whizzed past the Irish priest at 200mph, as he held up signs that read "read the bible" and "the bible is always right".

Horan could've been involved in a fatal crash if it wasn't for the quick thinking of Stephen Green, the marshal stationed nearby. Green risked his own life to save Horan's by sprinting onto the track and dragging him to safety.

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Green has reflected on the incident in an interview with The Independent. He said: "I didn’t really think, adrenaline just kicks in. I made the decision anyway to wait until most of the pack had gone past... I remember what I said to him, but it's not printable."

Horan went on to disrupt the Athens Olympics in 2004 and the Epsom Derby the same year. He also bizarrely appeared on Britain's Got Talent in 2009, performing an Irish jig. Unsurprisingly, Horan didn't win the reality TV show that year.

Just Stop Oil might target this Sunday's British Grand Prix (AFP via Getty Images)

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But Horan did get in touch with Green. The F1 hero added: "Strangely enough, he emailed me five years ago to ask how I was. We exchanged a couple of emails and that’s about it. Strange chap, shall we say!"

Green was asked to compare Horan's stunt with Just Stop Oil's protests and said the latter group are "actually trying to achieve something". Lewis Hamilton was equally as understanding when he was asked for his thoughts on the matter.

The seven-time world champion said: "I support peaceful protests... From my perspective, and my team’s perspective, we are focused on sustainability and we believe in what people [the protesters] are fighting for and we are making those changes as a sport.

"But safety is key. We don’t want to put them in harm’s way and we don’t want to put anyone else in harm’s way. If there was to be one [a protest] we hope it is not on track."

Yet Silverstone's managing director Stuart Pringle is not as sympathetic. He said: "It is a ridiculously reckless thing to put your own life at risk. [It also risks the lives] of the drivers, spectators and marshals."

Pringle added: "Unlike cricket or tennis, we have a fence which is designed to stop parts of a racing car, in the event of an accident, going into the crowd. That is helpful but it is designed to help keep debris going in the fans, not to stop a determined person that wants to put their life at risk."

Tom Blow