Mexican Grand Prix: Mercedes up security after a member of staff was robbed at gunpoint
Team member left 'shaken up' after armed thieves targeted his car on way from Mexico City airport
MERCEDES are taking extra security measures after a member of staff was held up at gun point.
SunSport has discovered that the male member of staff was robbed on Wednesday when his chauffeur-driven car was held up in traffic on his way from the airport.
A Mercedes spokesman confirmed that the armed thief made off with the man's watch and wallet, leaving him "shaken up".
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However he has not asked to return to the UK and is currently fulfilling his role with the team at the Mexico Grand Prix.
The Brackley-based team have not named the individual and have simply referred to him as a "team member".
However, support staff had already arrived in Mexico City from Austin earlier in the week.
Mercedes already seek extra security advice for races in South America and will be ensure that extra measures are taken this week in Mexico and next month in Brazil.
It is unknown whether the man was targeted as he made his way from the airport to the team's hotel.
Mexico City's Police Department is already at full-stretch but will deploy 4,960 officers around the streets of the Hermanos Rodriguez circuit on Saturday and Sunday to protect spectators.
It is not the first time Formula One has been targeted by armed robbers.
In 2010, Jenson Button was saved by his quick-thinking driver after he too was caught by a gun-wielding gang while stuck in traffic.
Button's specialist driver saw the robbers coming and rammed cars to ensure the 2009 world champion escaped.