FIA Clears Liam Lawson After Mexican Federation's Statement

The FIA has publicly defended Liam Lawson following a statement from the Mexican motorsport authority (OMDAI) that appeared to criticize his driving during a near-miss with marshals at the Mexican Grand Prix. Lawson, who had to swerve to avoid two marshals recovering debris, had expressed his anger and called for improved safety protocols, stating he "could have f***ing killed them."

Why it matters:

This incident highlights ongoing safety concerns regarding marshals on track during live F1 sessions and the communication protocols surrounding such events. The FIA's swift defense of Lawson, while an investigation is ongoing, underscores the importance of driver safety and the organization's commitment to protecting its competitors from undue criticism, especially when safety procedures are in question.

The details:

• The Incident: During an early pitstop, Lawson found himself separated from the main pack. As he approached Turn 1, he encountered two marshals on track recovering debris from an opening lap incident, forcing him to take evasive action.
• Lawson's Reaction: Visibly shaken, Lawson radioed his engineer, expressing extreme concern for the marshals' safety and his own, stating, "I could have f***ing killed them." After the race, he demanded the FIA ensure such "unacceptable" incidents wouldn't recur.
• OMDAI's Statement: The Organización Mexicana De Automovilismo Internacional (OMDAI), a Mexican member of the FIA, issued a 10-point statement claiming marshals should have been "clearly visible" and that Lawson "did not interrupt his [driving] line despite the obvious presence of marshals on the track." This statement was not ratified by the FIA and was largely unnoticed until Thursday.
• FIA's Response: In direct response to OMDAI's claims, the FIA released its own statement, emphasizing that "any situation where marshals find themselves on track in front of oncoming cars is something we never want to see." They apologized to Lawson post-race and promised a full investigation.
• Lawson Exonerated: Despite the ongoing internal investigation, the FIA explicitly cleared Lawson, stating, "Having analysed the telemetry from the incident, we can confirm that the driver of Car #30, Liam Lawson, slowed appropriately and reacted correctly to the double yellow flags displayed in the area, braking earlier than in other laps and passing significantly slower than racing speed into Turn 1. He is not at fault in this incident."

What's next:

The FIA's internal investigation remains ongoing, focusing on understanding the exact sequence of events and identifying areas for procedural improvement. They are collaborating with both OMDAI and the Racing Bulls Formula 1 Team to achieve their common goal of enhancing sport safety. The findings will be shared once the comprehensive review, including analysis of multi-language radio communications and all relevant evidence, is complete. This incident will likely lead to a review of marshal deployment protocols, especially during early race stages or after safety car periods.