Formula 1 officials have sparked controversy by placing responsibility on young New Zealand driver Liam Lawson following a terrifying incident that saw track marshals dash across the circuit during Mexican Grand Prix practice.
The shocking near-miss occurred during Friday's practice session at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, where multiple marshals were captured on camera running directly across the racing line while cars approached at high speed.
Dangerous Track Crossing Sparks Safety Concerns
In a surprising turn of events, race stewards have concluded that Lawson, who was driving for AlphaTauri, should have taken greater precautions despite the marshals making an unauthorised crossing. The incident has reignited debates about track safety protocols in Formula 1.
Eyewitness footage shows the marshals sprinting across the track mere seconds before Lawson's car would have reached that section of the circuit. The heart-stopping moment left team principals and drivers questioning the adequacy of current safety measures.
Stewards' Controversial Verdict
According to the official FIA report, stewards determined that Lawson failed to slow sufficiently despite the visible presence of marshals near the track edge. This conclusion has drawn criticism from several quarters of the paddock, with many arguing the primary responsibility should lie with race control and marshal coordination.
The Red Bull junior driver, standing in for the injured Daniel Ricciardo, now faces scrutiny despite what many perceive as a failure in track management rather than driver error.
Safety Protocols Under Microscope
This incident has raised serious questions about:
- Marshal training and communication procedures
- Track crossing protocols during practice sessions
- Driver responsibility versus official control
- Emergency response coordination at F1 events
The Mexican Grand Prix organisers have launched an internal review of the incident, while the FIA continues to assess whether additional safety measures are required for future events.
