Mexico’s motorsport federation has placed the blame firmly on Liam Lawson for a scary near-miss with marshals during Sunday’s Formula 1 Mexico City Grand Prix.
The incident happened on Lap 3 at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, moments after Lawson had pitted following contact with Carlos Sainz on the opening tour.
As the field cleared Turn 1, two marshals entered the track to remove debris from the earlier collision.
Lawson, rejoining the circuit, came across the pair between Turns 1 and 2 and was forced to take evasive action.
“I honestly couldn’t believe what I was seeing,” Lawson told media including Motorsport Week.
“I got to Turn 1 and there were two dudes just running across the track. And I nearly hit one of them.
“Honestly, it was so dangerous. Obviously, there’s been a miscommunication somewhere, but I’ve never experienced that before… it’s pretty unacceptable.”
OMDAI points to Lawson making a mistake
In a detailed statement, OMDAI Sport Mexico – the FIA-recognised national motorsport body – said the area was under double waved yellow flags, obliging Lawson to slow significantly, avoid overtaking, and be ready to stop.
“The Racing Bulls team informed the driver that there was debris on the track and that this section was under a double yellow flag,” the statement reads.
“Therefore, at that moment, the driver had to significantly reduce his speed, refrain from overtaking, and be prepared to stop if necessary.”
OMDAI backed its position with screenshots from Lawson’s onboard camera, arguing the footage showed he failed to alter his racing line despite the visible presence of marshals.
“The images clearly show that driver Liam Lawson maintains the steering wheel angle of his car when taking Turn 1, without changing his trajectory, even though the track marshals were crossing the track to return to their post,” it said.
“This action occurs while personnel were still working in the area, which shows that the driver did not interrupt his line despite the obvious presence of marshals on the track.”
The FIA later confirmed that marshals had been placed on standby to clear debris once all cars had passed, but those instructions were withdrawn when Lawson entered the pits.
“We are still investigating what occurred after that point,” the governing body said.
The investigation remains ongoing, but both OMDAI and Lawson have described the near-miss as a serious safety lapse that should never have happened, regardless.
READ MORE – FIA clarifies ‘dangerous’ and ‘unacceptable’ marshal incident in F1 Mexico GP
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