Liam Lawson Furious After Nearly Hitting Track Marshals at the Mexico Grand Prix: “I Could Have Killed Them”
Fundacion Rapala – The Mexico Grand Prix 2025 nearly turned tragic when Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson came inches away from hitting two marshals who suddenly ran across the track. The incident happened on lap three, moments after Lawson exited the pit lane for an early tire change.
As Lawson accelerated back into the race, the marshals sprinted across right in front of his car. The close call stunned him and the entire paddock. Over the team radio, Lawson shouted in disbelief and anger:
“Oh my god, are you kidding me? Did you just see that? I could have f**king killed them!”
Fans and analysts watching the broadcast were equally shocked. Formula 1 prides itself on its strict safety standards, yet this moment showed how a split-second error could put lives in danger.
FIA Responds and Begins a Full Investigation
The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) quickly announced that it had opened a full investigation.
According to Reuters, the issue began when debris scattered across the circuit after a first-lap collision at turn one. Race control told marshals to stand by to clear the track once all cars passed safely.
When Lawson entered the pits, race control canceled that instruction and waved double yellow flags to warn of a hazard. Despite that, two marshals ran across the track right as Lawson rejoined the race.
An FIA spokesperson said:
“We are investigating what happened after that moment.”
The situation revealed a serious communication failure between race control and the track crew a rare but extremely dangerous mistake.
“Read More : From Tears to Triumph: Aiko Sugihara’s Emotional Journey to World Gold”
It Was So Dangerous
After the race, Liam Lawson didn’t hold back his frustration. Speaking to reporters, the New Zealander described the incident as one of the most frightening experiences of his career.
“I nearly hit one of them. Honestly, it was so dangerous,” Lawson said. “I’ve never seen anything like that before in Formula 1. It really can’t happen again.”
Lawson believed poor communication led to the chaos. He questioned how any marshal could be allowed to cross the circuit while cars were still moving at high speed.
“We can’t understand how that’s possible,” he added. “I’m sure we’ll get an explanation, but this kind of mistake is unacceptable.”
His remarks echoed the broader concerns across the F1 community safety procedures must never fail, no matter the situation.
The Role of the Double Yellow Flag
A double yellow flag warns drivers that there’s a serious hazard ahead, often involving debris or marshals on the track. It tells drivers to slow down dramatically, stop overtaking, and stay alert for sudden obstacles.
The flag system aims to protect both drivers and marshals, but it only works if every party communicates clearly. When instructions fail, the results can be disastrous.
Formula 1 has faced such dangers before. Incidents like Tom Pryce’s fatal crash with a marshal in 1977 and Jules Bianchi’s accident in 2014 changed how the FIA handles race safety. Even so, the Lawson incident proves that human error remains a weak point and one that must be fixed immediately.
“Read More : Blue Jays Crush Dodgers with Explosive Sixth Inning to Win Game 1 of the World Series”
Norris Dominates, Lawson Retires
Despite the frightening moment, the Mexico Grand Prix continued. Lando Norris (McLaren) dominated the race from start to finish, claiming his sixth win of the season and regaining the championship lead from Oscar Piastri.
Norris crossed the line 30 seconds ahead of Charles Leclerc, who managed to hold off Max Verstappen for second place. Piastri finished fifth and now trails his teammate by just one point in the standings.
Meanwhile, Lawson’s day ended early when his car suffered damage from contact during the opening laps. Although frustrated, his quick reaction in avoiding the marshals may have prevented a tragedy and earned him respect from both fans and fellow drivers.
A Wake Up Call for Formula 1 Safety
Formula 1’s success relies on precision and communication. When either fails, the consequences can be deadly. This incident shows that despite F1’s technological sophistication, human coordination remains its weakest link.
As someone who follows motorsport safety closely, I believe the FIA must review its race control communication chain. Every message needs confirmation and cross-checking before anyone steps onto a live track.
It’s also essential to remember that marshals are mostly volunteers who love the sport. They play a critical role in keeping races running safely. Protecting them should be as high a priority as protecting the drivers themselves.