The international automobile federation has responded to assertions from its Mexican affiliate suggesting Liam Lawson was at fault for his close call with track personnel during the Formula 1 Mexico Grand Prix weekend.
During the third lap of the race last Sunday, the Racing Bulls competitor encountered a pair of marshals on the circuit near the third turn. These marshals were instructed to retrieve fragments from the track after a chaotic start to the race.
However, this directive was reversed upon discovering that Lawson had entered the pit stop for a replacement front wing due to a collision with Williams driver Carlos Sainz, negating the sufficient interval required for a secure recovery of the debris by the marshals.
Consequently, the FIA is currently investigating the reason for their continued presence on the track. OMDAI Sport Mexico issued a statement on Wednesday, placing the onus on Lawson.
The statement alleged that the 23-year-old failed to adequately decelerate under the double yellow flag condition, signaled to denote the marshals’ presence, asserting that Lawson should have noticed them.
The FIA has refuted this claim, with the governing body of F1 releasing a declaration on Friday stating: “Following examination of telemetry data from the incident, it’s confirmed that the driver of vehicle #30, Liam Lawson, reduced speed appropriately and acted in accordance with the double yellow flags displayed in the zone. He initiated braking earlier than in prior laps and traversed Turn 1 at a substantially reduced speed compared to racing pace.”
Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Team, Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing, Carlos Sainz, Williams
Photo by: Bryn Lennon / Formula 1 via Getty Images
“He bears no responsibility for the aforementioned occurrence. We extend our sincere gratitude to the volunteers and marshals for their expertise and commitment – without whom, the sport’s operational safety would be compromised.”
The FIA also supplied updates regarding their inquiry into the situation, an issue not examined by stewards during the actual race, indicating that conclusions will not be rushed.
“While the investigation remains in progress, we recognize that any circumstance involving marshals on the track in the path of approaching vehicles is undesirable. Consequently, such incidents naturally elicit apprehension and widespread commentary,” stated the FIA.
“Fortunately, this event did not culminate in severe consequences, but an internal examination is underway to fully comprehend the sequence of events and pinpoint potential enhancements to procedures.
“In pursuit of our shared objective to consistently bolster the safety of our sport, we are engaging in transparent and collaborative efforts with both the OMDAI (Mexican Automobile Club) and Racing Bulls Formula 1 Team.
“Similar to all grave incidents, a comprehensive analysis will necessitate considerable time, entailing the acquisition and assessment of pertinent evidence, encompassing radio communications in multiple languages from diverse involved parties, and the synchronization of these varied inputs. The conclusions will be disseminated upon completion of the review.”
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Team
Photo by: James Sutton / LAT Images via Getty Images
When questioned about the event on Sunday at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Lawson commented: “I was genuinely astonished by what I witnessed.
“As I approached Turn 1, I saw two individuals sprinting across the track. I narrowly avoided colliding with one of them. Honestly, it was an exceedingly perilous situation.
“Evidently, there’s been a lapse in communication. I’ve never been in a situation such as this; this is something I’ve seen in the past. It’s fundamentally unacceptable.
“We are perplexed as to how marshals were permitted to traverse a live track in such a manner. The rationale is unknown, but I’m sure an explanation will be forthcoming.”
Additional reporting by Filip Cleeren
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