Lawson’s Near-Miss Sparks Safety Concerns at Mexican Grand Prix
Liam Lawson narrowly escaped disaster at the Mexican Grand Prix on Sunday after coming within yards of colliding with two race marshals who had ventured onto the live circuit to clear debris, reports BritPanorama.
The near miss provoked outrage from the New Zealander, who characterised the episode as “unacceptable” and “incredibly dangerous,” placing Formula One officials under immediate scrutiny regarding track safety protocols.
Lawson, 23, had already faced challenges earlier in the race following a first-lap collision with Alex Albon that necessitated a pit stop for a new front wing. After rejoining the pack at the back of the field, he encountered the alarming situation approaching Turn One.
As he raced towards the corner, Lawson was confronted by two marshals sprinting across the track, despite ongoing yellow flag conditions. His immediate reaction over team radio conveyed the severity of the incident: “Wait, the f***? Oh my God, are you kidding me? Did you just see that?”
After the race, still visibly shaken, Lawson remarked, “I could’ve f***ing killed him, mate,” describing the moment as surreal. He elaborated, “I honestly couldn’t believe what I was seeing… there were just two dudes running across the track.”
“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,” he added. Lawson emphasised that such lapses in safety protocols cannot occur in the future.
The FIA, which oversees Formula One, confirmed that an investigation is underway. In their statement, they outlined, “Following a Turn 1 incident, Race Control was informed that debris was present on the track… Marshals were alerted and placed on standby to enter the track […] As soon as it became apparent that Lawson had pitted, the instructions to dispatch marshals were rescinded.”
This unsettling incident serves as a grim reminder of past tragedies within Formula One involving track personnel, underscoring the risks associated with high-speed racing when communication breakdowns materialise. Clarity and accountability are demanded as teams await a full report from the governing body before the next race in Brazil.
Lawson’s race concluded prematurely due to the damage sustained earlier, while Lando Norris triumphed in commanding fashion, moving one point clear of his team-mate Oscar Piastri at the top of the drivers’ standings, with Max Verstappen trailing by 35 points. Norris demonstrated composure amidst a mixed reception from the crowd, focusing on his performance and expressing satisfaction with his race achievement.
As the season unfolds, each race is a reminder of the fine margins that separate triumph from tragedy—a spectre that casts a long shadow over the verve of competition.
