FIA Clears Liam Lawson in Mexico GP Marshal Near-Miss

The FIA has exonerated Liam Lawson from blame after his near-miss with marshals during the Formula 1 Mexico Grand Prix, contradicting earlier claims by its Mexican counterpart. The incident, which saw two marshals on track as Lawson pitted, is now under a full FIA investigation to understand procedural failures.

Why it matters:

This incident highlights critical safety protocol lapses in Formula 1 race management. While fortunately no one was harmed, such occurrences are unacceptable and underscore the need for robust communication and swift action to protect both drivers and track personnel. The FIA's clear stance on Lawson's innocence also protects a young driver from unwarranted criticism.

The details:

• The Incident: On Lap 3 of the Mexico Grand Prix, Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson encountered two marshals on track near Turn 3. They were initially dispatched to collect debris following a chaotic start.
• Procedural Breakdown: The order for marshals to enter the track was rescinded after Lawson pitted for a new front wing, meaning the safety gap required for debris collection no longer existed. Despite this, the marshals remained on track.
• Mexican Body's Claim: OMDAI Sport Mexico initially released a statement blaming Lawson, alleging he did not slow sufficiently under double yellow flags and should have seen the marshals.
• FIA's Rebuttal: The FIA, after analyzing telemetry, explicitly denied OMDAI's claims. Their statement confirmed Lawson "slowed appropriately and reacted correctly to the double yellow flags... braking earlier than in other laps and passing significantly slower than racing speed into Turn 1."
• Lawson's Reaction: Post-race, Lawson expressed his disbelief and concern, stating, "I honestly couldn't believe what I was seeing... I nearly hit one of them. Honestly, it was so dangerous." He called the situation "pretty unacceptable."

What's next:

The FIA's internal investigation is ongoing and aims to thoroughly review all relevant evidence, including multi-language radio communications, to understand the breakdown in protocol. The governing body has committed to a transparent process, collaborating with OMDAI and the Racing Bulls team, with findings to be shared once complete. This incident will likely lead to revised safety procedures and heightened scrutiny of marshal deployment protocols at future events to prevent similar dangerous situations.