FIA to strengthen marshal procedures after Monaco close call

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The FIA will apply in the future more stringent guidelines for marshals' on-track presence following a near-miss involving Sergio Perez at the Monaco Grand Prix.

After undergoing a routine pit-stop during the race, Perez exited the pitlane only to find two marshals in the middle of the track collecting debris from Charles Leclerc's damaged Ferrari.

The Racing Point driver fortunately avoided the two marshals who it was later learned had not been given permission by race control to head onto the circuit.

F1's governing body is conducting a full investigation into the incident and will reinforce its instructions to marshals.

Perez: 'I nearly ran over two marshals!'

F1 race director Michael Masi said the FIA will also use video evidence of the Monaco incident as a case study to better educate marshals about the dangers of failing to follow the correct procedures.

"I can say that after talking to the FIA the marshals didn’t have permission to be on the track, and the FIA in future are going to reiterate that they cannot go on track until they are given permission," Sport Pesa Racing Point team manager Andy Stevenson told Autosport.

"They were not aware that there was a car in the pit lane."

Perez refused to apportion blame on anyone but the Mexican hopes the situation will not be repeated in the future.

"I braked, but at the same time I wanted to make sure that I didn’t lock up so that I could still turn," explained Perez.

"Everything happened so quickly that I saw one running away and the other one stopped at the right moment. If he would have moved I would have had nowhere to go.

"It was a very serious thing. We’ve got to review it for the safety of the marshals and for the drivers," he added.

"Monaco is a unique place, and there are times where things can go very wrong if things don’t get followed properly.

"It could have been me or someone else and everyone is in the same boat.

"It is something where I don’t want to blame anyone. We just have to review what is best going forwards to make sure this situation never happens."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.