FIA Apologizes to Liam Lawson After Mexican Marshal Incident Accusation

Liam Lawson has revealed he received an apology from the FIA following his near-miss incident with marshals in Mexico. The Kiwi driver encountered two marshals crossing the track after his pitstop, an incident he described as frightening and potentially fatal, leading to a full FIA investigation.

Why it matters:

This incident highlights critical safety protocols in Formula 1. The initial blame placed on Lawson by a national sporting authority, quickly refuted by the FIA, underscores the importance of clear communication and accountability from governing bodies to protect both drivers and track personnel. Such near-misses serve as stark reminders of the inherent dangers of the sport and the constant need for vigilance.

The Details:

• Lawson encountered two marshals crossing the racing line exiting Turn 1 at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez after rejoining the track from a pitstop.
• He immediately voiced his shock on team radio, exclaiming he "could have killed" the personnel, referencing the tragic 1977 South African Grand Prix where a driver struck and killed a marshal.
• The FIA confirmed a full investigation, stating an instruction to send marshals out was rescinded when Lawson pitted, yet two marshals were still on track.
• OMDAI's Premature Statement: The Mexican national sporting authority (ASN), OMDAI, issued a statement sharing screenshots and blaming Lawson for failing to slow sufficiently under yellow flags.
  • Lawson expressed his surprise at this statement, laughing, "I was very surprised. I think the FIA statement was very clear and very accurate as well."
• FIA's Retraction and Apology: The FIA swiftly followed up with its own statement, absolving Lawson of any wrongdoing regarding his driving under yellow flags. Lawson later confirmed he received a direct apology from the FIA on Sunday night after the incident.
• Lawson appreciated the apology, acknowledging the variables in the sport but emphasizing that "what’s most important is that the actions taken now are to prevent it." He reiterated his issue was with the statement attempting to accuse him.

Between the lines:

Lawson's reaction reveals a driver's deep concern for safety over race performance in such a critical moment. His immediate focus was on avoiding the marshals, adjusting his line to prevent startling them, even at the cost of his damaged car's race outcome. The rapid back-and-forth between OMDAI and the FIA also exposes potential communication breakdowns within motorsport's organizational structure, especially at local levels.

What's next:

The official investigation into the incident is ongoing, with Lawson expecting more details as it involves his team. Early indications suggest miscommunication as a primary cause, where marshals were released onto the track and then recalled, but did not receive the recall message. The outcome of this investigation will be crucial for implementing stricter, clearer protocols to prevent similar dangerous occurrences in the future, reinforcing safety as a paramount concern in F1.