Liam Lawson has been officially cleared of any blame by the FIA following a frightening incident at the Mexico Grand Prix, where the Racing Bulls driver narrowly avoided hitting two marshals who ran across the track in front of him. The event, which caused widespread concern across the Formula One community, is still under investigation as the FIA seeks to understand how such a dangerous situation was allowed to occur.
The near-miss happened early in the race after Lawson had returned to the pits to repair damage sustained during the opening laps. As he rejoined the track, he encountered two marshals running across the circuit while clearing debris from the first corner. The New Zealander was forced to brake heavily to avoid disaster, expressing his shock and anger over team radio.
Telemetry data reviewed by the FIA confirmed that Lawson reacted appropriately to the yellow flags displayed in the area, slowing significantly before entering Turn 1 and maintaining full control of his car. The governing body stated that he followed proper safety procedures and was not responsible for the incident.
According to the FIA, the marshals had initially been cleared to retrieve debris from the circuit. However, that clearance was withdrawn when Lawson’s pit stop meant he was out of sequence with the rest of the field. It remains unclear why the marshals still entered the track despite the updated instructions.
Lawson expressed his frustration after the race, saying he could not believe what he witnessed and emphasizing that such a situation should never occur in Formula One. He added that it was unacceptable for marshals to be placed in danger while cars were still circulating at speed.
The FIA acknowledged the seriousness of the event, stating that it was fortunate no one was injured. The organization confirmed that a full internal review is underway to determine how communication between race control and the marshals broke down. It also reaffirmed its commitment to improving safety protocols to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The governing body reiterated that ensuring the safety of both drivers and track personnel remains its top priority as it continues to refine procedures for live race management.
