British Grand Prix protester has no regrets

London - A former Catholic priest who ran on to the track during the British Grand Prix in July said he had no regrets about the stunt which put hundreds of lives at risk.

Cornelius Neil Horan left court on Monday after being given a two-month jail sentence for aggravated trespass at the Silverstone circuit, having served more than two thirds of the sentence on remand.

The 56-year-old said outside the Northampton magistrates' court that he believed the hand of God had protected him and the drivers as he raced onto the track to promote the word of the Bible.

Horan, from south-east London, said he would not have carried out the protest but a gate leading to the track had been left open and it represented a signal to him from God.

Horan pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to the single charge of aggravated trespass during the British Grand Prix, which was won by the Ferrari driver Rubens Barrichello.

A television audience of millions worldwide watched as Horan faced down cars wearing a Tam O'Shanter and kilt and carrying religious themed placards.

The protest took place on the fastest part of the course, the Hangar Straight, where speeds can reach up to 300km/h.

Several drivers had to swerve to avoid him and the safety car had to be deployed to protect participants.

Horan, originally from the Irish Republic, was wrestled to the ground by a race marshal and arrested.

"I felt the moment I stepped on to the course there was an unseen hand that gave me power," he said.

"That unseen hand was God.

"Not for one moment did I think I would die.

"I do believe that it saved the drivers as well because I would simply hate a driver to be injured or even killed."

Horan had previously protested on the centre court at the Wimbledon tennis championships during a break for rain as well as at cricket and rugby matches. - Sapa-AFP