SINGAPORE: An exchange student who wanted to attend the F1 Singapore Grand Prix found tickets too pricey and decided to gain unauthorised access instead.
He snuck in without a ticket, broke into the Paddock Club where F1 drivers were present and entered the highly restricted pit lane area.
Swedish national Alkallas Karam, 23, was sentenced to four weeks’ jail on Monday (Dec 1) after pleading guilty to two counts of criminal trespass, with a third charge taken into consideration.
The court heard that Karam held a student pass at the time, as he was a university student on an exchange programme in Singapore.
He asked his friends about F1 ticket prices but decided they were too expensive.
On the evening of Oct 4 this year, Karam went to the Marina Bay Street Circuit where he met a 17-year-old student volunteer.
The volunteer was working at Gate 1 of the Circuit Park Area and was responsible for scanning tickets of those entering the F1 area.
When asked if he had a ticket to enter, Karam said it was “with his friend”. He later explained that his friend was not present and the ticket was with his friend.
The teenage worker said he could not allow entry and asked him to wait at the side.
However, after persistent pestering from Karam, the worker felt sympathy for Karam and agreed to help him sneak in.
Karam joined the queue and presented his mobile phone with a blank screen, and the teenager allowed him to enter.
Karam cleared the bag check and entered the F1 area without a valid ticket.
