FIA Clears Lawson After Mexico Marshal Near-Miss

Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson expressed surprise this week at initial accusations from Mexico's motorsport federation following a near-collision with two track marshals during last month's Mexico City Grand Prix, though the FIA quickly cleared him of any fault and issued a private apology.

The incident unfolded on Lap 3 at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, shortly after Lawson exited the pits following repairs from an opening-lap collision that damaged his car. Under Virtual Safety Car conditions and double yellow flags, two marshals crossed the track in front of him near Turn 1 to retrieve debris from an earlier crash. Lawson braked sharply, altered his racing line to avoid them, and immediately radioed his team, stating he could have killed the personnel. The FIA's investigation determined that race control had rescinded the order for marshals to enter the circuit just before Lawson pitted, but the workers did not receive the recall in time, leading to a miscommunication.

In the days after the October 27 race, Mexico's national motorsport authority, OMDAI, released a statement with screenshots suggesting Lawson had not slowed sufficiently under the yellow flags. The FIA...