Two protesters disrupt Formula E start

The second E-Prix of the season started three minutes late as two protesters entered the track just before the start. The pair sat down on the second starting row, but within seconds, police and security guards came onto the track to remove them.

Race officials were briefly concerned that the two protesters had applied a liquid to the track, making racing dangerous. It was soon clear, however, that this was not the case. After a short, unwelcome break, the drivers were still able to start.

The E-Prix will be run in dry conditions, with qualifying completed in wet conditions earlier in the day. Surprisingly, it was the two cars of the modest ABT Cupra that took the two first spots. Dutchman Robin Frijns was the fastest, ahead of his teammate Nico Müller.

Protests becoming popular

The protest at the E-Prix are just one of several that have occurred in high-level sporting events in recent weeks, with these demonstrations rising at a rapid rate.

Earlier in the month, the Grand National horse racing was delayed by 15 or so minutes by animal rights protesters, who tried to leap over fences and tie themselves to the racecourse. This was also the case during the Scottish Grand National, but these protestors did not delay the start of that race.

Snooker, too, were in the headlines regarding protestors just five days ago. Just Stop Oil protestors climbed the tables and threw orange power across them. One protester was successful, and the other was foiled.