Three popular YouTubers were arrested for allegedly damaging a classic F1 car on display at the iconic Silverstone Circuit during Formula 1’s British Grand Prix.
The YouTubers arrested were—Morgan Burtwistle (known as AngryGinge), Charlie Clark (Chazza), and Samuel Imie (SamHam)—who according to Northamptonshire Police caused ‘several thousands of pounds worth of damage’ to the car.
The incident unfolded on the Friday of the British Grand Prix weekend, a day when Silverstone was buzzing with anticipation for the upcoming race and a host of special displays, including several classic F1 cars that pay homage to the sport’s rich history.
Among these was a 2019 Racing Point F1 car – the RP19 – a vehicle that while not as old as some of the other exhibits, still represents an important chapter in recent F1 memory.
According to reports from Northamptonshire Police and multiple eyewitnesses, the three YouTubers were livestreaming their experience at the Grand Prix when the incident occurred.
Footage later circulated online appeared to show one of the group attempting to climb into the cockpit of the display car, while the others looked on and provided commentary for their audience.
Security personnel at Silverstone were alerted to the situation and quickly intervened but not before the car reportedly sustained several thousands of pounds’ worth of damage.
The precise extent of the damage has not been publicly detailed, but sources close to the event suggested that the vehicle’s interior and bodywork were affected, raising concerns about the preservation of valuable motorsport artifacts.
Police were called to the scene and the three men aged 23, 25, and 27, were arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage to a vehicle. They were taken into custody for questioning with all three maintaining their innocence and denying any deliberate wrongdoing.
Morgan Burtwistle, known online as AngryGinge, is one of the UK’s most prominent streamers boasting over 1.3 million followers on Twitch and a substantial YouTube audience.
He is well known for his energetic personality and participation in various esports and charity events, including SoccerAid and the Baller League.
In a video posted to his channel following his release, Burtwistle recounted his experience, describing being held in a police cell for approximately 15 hours alongside his fellow content creators.
He expressed shock and distress at the situation, stating that he was “genuinely traumatized” by the ordeal and firmly denied causing any damage to the car.
According to Burtwistle, the group had merely approached the display vehicle to create a humorous moment for their audience, a common practice among content creators seeking to engage viewers with behind-the-scenes access at major events.
Classic F1 cars are often considered irreplaceable pieces of sporting heritage, meticulously maintained by their owners and event organizers. The damage to the Racing Point F1 car was seen by some as a clumsy social media stunt.
The response from Silverstone Circuit and event organizers was swift. In addition to the police action, the trio were issued trespass notices and banned from attending the remainder of the British Grand Prix weekend.
Classic F1 steering wheel worth ‘£2.5k’ stolen in separate incident
The arrest of the YouTubers was just one of several security-related incidents at this year’s British Grand Prix. In a separate event, a classic F1 steering wheel valued at over £2,500 was stolen from another classic car on display, prompting further questions about the adequacy of event security.
The engineer responsible for the car described the theft as leaving a “sour taste in the mouth,” and police released CCTV footage in an effort to identify the suspect.
“Northamptonshire Police has released a CCTV image of a man they wish to speak to following the theft of a classic F1 steering wheel from a car,” the statement read.
“The incident happened at about 2.30pm on Friday, July 4, when the steering wheel was removed from a vehicle that was on display at the Formula 1 British Grand Prix at Silverstone in South Northamptonshire.
“The man in the image could assist police with their enquiries so he, or anyone who recognises him, is asked [to] call Northamptonshire Police on 101.”
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