Mexico’s motorsport federation has accused Liam Lawson of failing to take enough motion to keep away from two marshals on observe following a near-miss in Sunday’s Mexico Metropolis Grand Prix.
Lawson was trailing the remainder of the sector after stopping for a brand new nosecone on the finish of lap two, and upon rising from the pits narrowly averted a collision with two marshals who had been despatched out to clear particles within the first sector.
The FIA defined after the race that the marshals had been dispatched with out consciousness that Lawson had pitted, and that the directions to ship them onto observe had been rescinded and double yellow flags waved as quickly because the presence of the approaching Racing Bulls automobile was famous.
Whereas the FIA’s personal investigation into the incident is ongoing, OMDAI Mexico, an FIA-sanctioned physique, launched an announcement on Thursday accusing Lawson of not slowing down sufficiently as he encountered the double yellow flags.
“Upon re-joining the track, Lawson encounters panel three displaying ‘double yellow flags’, the team alerts the driver by radio well, as the track marshals’ post waving physical double yellow flags, indicating the presence of danger and personnel working on the circuit,” OMDAI’s assertion mentioned.
“The Racing Bulls workforce knowledgeable the motive force that there was particles on the observe and that this part was beneath a double yellow flag, in order that he ought to take excessive precautions when driving by means of the realm.
“Therefore, at that moment, the driver had to significantly reduce his speed, refrain from overtaking, and be prepared to stop if necessary, in compliance with current safety regulations.”
Double-waved yellow flags signify that drivers should scale back their velocity considerably, can not overtake and have to be ready to alter path or cease as a result of presence of a hazard on observe and/or marshals being on or beside the circuit.
There are extra excessive choices for intervention obtainable to the race director, comparable to a Digital Security Automobile, Security Automobile, or pink flag.
Lawson in the end retired from the race having suffered early harm
Lawson’s velocity by means of the part was diminished in comparison with the opposite laps, however ODMAI additionally accused him of failing to aim to keep away from the marshals.
ODMAI’s assertion continued: “The images clearly show that driver Liam Lawson maintains the steering wheel angle of his car when taking turn one, without changing his trajectory, even though the track marshals were crossing the track to return to their post.
“This motion happens whereas personnel had been nonetheless working within the space, which reveals that the motive force didn’t interrupt his line regardless of the apparent presence of marshals on the observe.”
The ODMAI statement is understood to be completely separate to any further FIA communication on the incident, which is expected at the conclusion of their investigation.
A Racing Bulls spokesperson said the team are awaiting the outcome of the FIA investigation before making any further comment.
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