In a heart-stopping moment that sent shockwaves through the Formula 1 paddock, Red Bull reserve driver Liam Lawson came within metres of a catastrophic collision during Mexican Grand Prix practice on Friday.
A Close Call That Could Have Been Catastrophic
The young New Zealander, standing in for the recovering Daniel Ricciardo, was pushing hard during FP2 when he encountered the unthinkable - three track marshals crossing directly in front of his speeding AlphaTauri at the notoriously quick Turn 3.
"I had to check up massively," a visibly shaken Lawson revealed after the session. "They were walking across the track - I nearly hit them."
Safety Protocols Under Scrutiny
The incident occurred despite Lawson's car being clearly visible on track, raising serious questions about communication and safety procedures at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. In a sport where milliseconds matter and cars travel at speeds exceeding 200mph, such breaches of protocol could have devastating consequences.
Team principal Christian Horner expressed his concern, noting this wasn't the first safety-related issue at the Mexico City circuit. The narrow escape comes just weeks after serious incidents in Qatar highlighted ongoing concerns about track personnel awareness and communication systems.
Lawson's Baptism of Fire Continues
For Lawson, the near-miss adds another layer of pressure to what's already been a challenging introduction to full-time F1 racing. The 21-year-old has been impressive since stepping into Ricciardo's seat, but incidents like these test even the most experienced drivers' nerve.
"It's moments like these that remind us how fine the margins are in Formula 1," one veteran observer commented. "We're talking about a difference of half a second separating a routine practice session from potential tragedy."
The FIA has launched an immediate investigation into the incident, with teams and drivers expecting a thorough review of safety protocols before Saturday's qualifying session.
