MARCH 8, 2003

High security Melbourne

As the Formula 1 final qualifying was getting started in Melbourne there was a problem in the public area behind the main grandstand when a suspect package was spotted. The authorities decided to clear an area around the package and the police decided to investigate. For a while it looked as though the thousands of people in the main grandstand would have to be evacuated but rapid work by the authorities revealed that it was simply a case of someone having forgotten their bag and so the fans were able to watch the exciting car-by-car session without drama.