FIA Clears Liam Lawson in Mexico Marshal Near-Miss

The FIA has officially cleared Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson of any wrongdoing in the near-miss incident involving marshals during the Mexico City Grand Prix. This decision comes despite initial criticism from Mexico's motorsport federation, OMDAI, which had accused Lawson of failing to slow sufficiently under double waved yellow flags.

Why it matters:

This incident highlighted critical safety protocols and communication breakdowns during a live F1 race. The FIA's swift and thorough investigation, culminating in Lawson's exoneration, reinforces the importance of driver safety and marshal protection, which are paramount in motorsport. The ongoing internal review aims to prevent similar occurrences by refining procedures and communication among all parties involved.

The Details:

• The Incident: On lap three of the Mexico City Grand Prix, Lawson narrowly avoided two marshals who were deployed to clear debris in Turn 1. Lawson had just pitted for a new nosecone, making him out of sync with the rest of the field.
• OMDAI's Accusation: Mexico's motorsport federation, OMDAI, initially released a statement accusing Lawson of not slowing enough under double yellow flags and failing to alter his line.
• FIA's Investigation and Verdict: The FIA conducted an investigation, including telemetry analysis, and concluded that Lawson "slowed appropriately and reacted correctly" to the double yellow flags. He braked earlier than in other laps and passed Turn 1 at a significantly slower speed. The FIA confirmed he was "not at fault in this incident."
• Root Cause: The incident appears to have stemmed from marshals being deployed under the incorrect assumption that the entire field had passed. Instructions to deploy marshals were rescinded, and double yellow flags were waved as soon as Lawson's approaching car was noted.
• Safety Protocols: Double-waved yellow flags mandate drivers to reduce speed significantly, avoid overtaking, and be prepared to change direction or stop due to hazards or marshals on track. More extreme measures, such as a Virtual Safety Car, Safety Car, or red flag, are available for severe situations.
• Collaboration: The FIA is collaborating openly with OMDAI and the Racing Bulls Formula One Team to understand what happened and identify areas for procedural improvement.

What's next:

The FIA's internal investigation remains ongoing to fully understand the communication and procedural breakdowns that led to the incident. The findings, which will involve reviewing radio communications in multiple languages, will be shared upon completion, with the ultimate goal of enhancing safety in the sport. This incident serves as a crucial reminder for continuous improvement in race management and marshal deployment protocols.

Between the lines:

While Lawson has been cleared, the initial public criticism from OMDAI before the FIA's full findings were released highlights a potential disconnect in communication or understanding between local and international governing bodies during critical race incidents. The FIA's statement, while not directly mentioning OMDAI, effectively countered their public accusations, emphasizing a unified approach to safety investigations.