FIA to probe Lawson’s scary marshal near miss – explains VSC call

The FIA has launched an investigation into a frightening near-miss involving Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson and two track marshals during Sunday’s Mexico City Grand Prix, while also defending its decision to deploy a Virtual Safety Car (VSC) in the race’s dying laps.

The dramatic double twist added a dose of controversy to an already chaotic afternoon at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, where Lawson’s scare and a late-race neutralization reignited debate about race control’s split-second calls.

The first piece of drama unfolded as early as lap 3, when Lawson – who had pitted for a new front wing after lap-one contact – came across two marshals on the racing line near Turn 3.

The pair had been deployed to clear debris left by the opening-corner chaos, but race control’s order was swiftly withdrawn when it became clear that Lawson was still circulating close behind the pack. The marshals however didn’t get the note.

Lawson’s Close Call

“I could have f**king killed them!” Lawson exclaimed over the radio, his shock palpable.

The FIA swiftly acknowledged the seriousness of the incident and confirmed a full review was underway.

In a statement, the governing body explained:

“Following a Turn 1 incident, Race Control was informed that debris was present on the track at the apex of that corner. On lap 3, marshals were alerted and placed on standby to enter the track and recover the debris once all cars had passed Turn 1.

“As soon as it became apparent that Lawson had pitted, the instructions to dispatch marshals were rescinded, and a double yellow flag was shown in that area. We are still investigating what occurred after that point.

“We would like to underline our respect and appreciation for the local ASN, OMDAI, as well as the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez and their marshals, who are volunteers and play a vital role in the safe and successful running of our sport. Their professionalism and dedication are invaluable to every event we stage.”

The FIA’s wording underscored that while human error might have contributed to the near-miss, the governing body remains protective of its volunteer workforce – the backbone of global motorsport safety operations.

VSC Controversy: Safety First, Even Under the Spotlight

As the race neared its conclusion, another moment of contention emerged when the Virtual Safety Car was deployed with just two laps remaining after Carlos Sainz parked his smoking Williams in the Foro Sol stadium section.

The VSC period froze the action just as Max Verstappen was closing in on Charles Leclerc for second place, effectively ending any chance of a final-lap showdown.

Explaining the move, an FIA spokesperson stated:

“Sainz spun and stopped in the runoff area on the outside of Turn 14. His car came to a halt in an exposed position. The car subsequently began smoking and race control received notifications of fire, making it clear that marshal intervention would be required for recovery.

“As is standard procedure when marshals are deployed to recover a car, the race is neutralised, in this case, a Virtual Safety Car (VSC) was triggered until the car was moved to a safe location behind the barriers. The VSC ended as soon as the car was in a protected position, and the race concluded under green-flag conditions.”

The FIA’s stance was clear: safety takes precedence over spectacle, especially when marshals need to enter the circuit to address a potential fire hazard.

Villeneuve: VSC Decision "Embarrassing"

Not everyone agreed. Former world champion and current Sky F1 pundit Jacques Villeneuve didn’t hold back in his criticism, calling the decision excessive.

“Embarrassing with the Virtual Safety Car there,” Villeneuve said.

“The car was completely off the track, off the line, at the slowest part of the track. There was no reason for it with two laps to go.

“There are so many millions of people watching that race, you have to take that into account as well.”

Villeneuve’s comments echoed a common sentiment among the sport’s commentators and fans who felt robbed of a thrilling finish – though the FIA’s explanation makes clear that erring on the side of caution remains non-negotiable.

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