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Liam Lawson during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix press conference - Photo: Race Pictures

Lawson 'surprised' with blame from Mexican FIA after marshal incident

15:44, 06 Nov

Updated: 17:40, 06 Nov

byShayni Solanki

Liam Lawson claimed that he was "extremely surprised" by the Mexican sports agency blaming him for the near miss with marshals running on track during the Mexican Grand Prix.

"We're in a sport with a huge amount of variables in these things. As much as they say it can't happen again, there's always a possibility of something like this."

- Liam Lawson

The Racing Bulls driver narrowly avoided a potentially fatal incident with two marshals who ran across the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez on Lap 3, when he rejoined the track at Turn 1 after a pitstop.

He was initially investigated by the FIA for the incident, but the Formula 1 governing body sided with Lawson, asserting that he 'reacted correctly' to the yellow flag conditions.

The incident at the Mexico City GP - Photo: Race Pictures

This was in response to OMDAI Sport Mexico, FIA's Mexican governing body, blaming Lawson for the incident, claiming that the Kiwi driver failed to slow down sufficiently after spotting the marshals on track.

Lawson said in Brazil: "Yes, I was very surprised. I think the FIA's statement was very clear and very accurate as well. It's something that I don't really need to say too much more than what was put in that statement.

"It was obviously checked, everything that led to that happening, to the fact that they got caught out there and everything I did in the car to obviously slow down and avoid them and take a completely different line than what I've taken through the entire weekend.

"But yes, I was extremely surprised, still am very surprised. I had a talk with them [FIA] and I appreciated that a lot.

"It was just the statement that came out trying to accuse me of doing something."

"I do understand we're in a sport with a huge amount of variables in these things. As much as they say it can't happen again, there's always a possibility of something like this."

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OMDAI Sport Mexico dove into a full investigation on the incident, placing the blame on the Racing Bulls driver rather than the two marshals running across the track.

The governing body published a document arguing that Lawson did not slow down to avoid the drivers, and did not change his trajectory after rejoining the track.

However, the FIA have since explained Lawson was not at fault, clearing him of any blame.

Lawson continued: "Obviously, what's most important is that the action is taken now to prevent it. So I didn't have a problem with any of that.

"I think there's obviously been a much bigger investigation behind it now, which I'm sure I'll get more details on as well, that's involved the team and stuff like that.

"But at the time, it was obviously a miscommunication. From my understanding, they were released onto the track and then recalled back, but for whatever reason, they didn't get that message or something like that.

"Honestly at the time I was more concerned about the fact that these two guys were running across the track in front of me, and that in that moment I had no idea what direction they were going to run, and I tried to basically do as few direction changes as possible so that they don't get spooked and change direction.

"So, at the time, that was really what I was thinking about. And anyway, we had a very damaged car, and it didn't make a difference to our race."

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