Lawson Critiques Marshal Safety Protocols After Close Call in Mexico City GP
Liam Lawson expressed serious concerns regarding track safety protocols following a potentially dangerous incident during the Mexico City Grand Prix. The Racing Bulls driver encountered two marshals on the live circuit between Turns 1 and 2 while approaching at race speed after pitting for front wing repairs.
“I honestly couldn’t believe what I was seeing,” Lawson stated. He narrowly avoided a collision as he emerged from the pits on a new set of hard tires, indicating the situation was “so dangerous.”
The FIA has since clarified that the marshals were initially placed on standby to clear debris following an incident at Turn 1. However, instructions to dispatch them were rescinded when Lawson pitted, leading to a breakdown in communication that resulted in their presence on track. “We are still investigating what occurred after that point,” stated an FIA representative.
Lawson’s shock was evident in team radio communications, where he asked, “Wait, the f**k, oh my God, are you kidding me?! Did you just see that?” His engineer confirmed the warning but reiterated the importance of avoiding the marshals.
Adding to the day’s unpredictability, a short Virtual Safety Car period was deployed late in the race after Carlos Sainz’s car stopped at Turn 14 and began smoking. Race control activated the VSC to allow for safe recovery of the vehicle, which concluded the race under green-flag conditions.
This incident raises critical questions about track safety protocols and could lead to future discussions on marshal training and communication in high-stakes environments.
