Despite the presence of police forces, four activists from ‘Extinction Rebellion Racing’ and ‘Last Generation’ managed to gain access to the opening turn of the track prior to the second race of the weekend.
A marshal who tried to stop the protestors from invading the track was injured in the process, according to a report by dpa referring to a police spokesperson.
Bild further reported that the 47-year-old man suffered bruises and abrasion in the altercation, but was able to leave the hospital later.
The police are investigating three people for bodily harm, while several others are being probed for trespassing. In total, 13 people have been arrested by the local authorities in Nuremberg, Germany.
The activists are understood to have climbed over a safety fence into an area adjacent to the track at 1:15pm, about 15 minutes prior to the start of the race, before storming onto the racetrack in orange safety vests and placards.
One activist poured an orange liquid on the track, which the ‘Last Generation’ claims was oil, while another tried to tie himself to a catch fence on the inside of the track.
However, it took only a few minutes for the police and emergency personnel to arrive at the scene with vehicles, and they were able to quickly overpower the protestors.
The organisers and the police had been expecting a “peaceful protest”, with a bicycle demonstration having been announced for Sunday.
Source: Autosport