Post-race footage reveals that Liam Lawson did well to avoid two marshals who were clearing debris following the first lap clash.

The footage, which didn't appear during the race, was posted on social media by fans watching the New Zealander's on-board camera.

Wait, what the ****?" says the kiwi over the radio as two marshals run across the track in front of his car, which had tangled with Lance Stroll at the start, "****, oh my God, are you kidding me?" he continues. "Did you see that? Oh my God, dude!"

Told that he'd done well to avoid them he replied: "I could have ******* killed them, mate".

In the aftermath of the tangle with Stroll the RB driver pitted for a new front wing, it was on returning to the track, as he rounded Turn 1, that he was greeted by the sight of the two marshals running across the track in front of him.

Speaking post-race he was still in a state of disbelief.

"I honestly couldn't believe what I was seeing," he told reporters. "I boxed, came out on a new set of hards, and then I got to Turn 1 and there were two dudes running across the track.

"I nearly hit one of them," he continued, "honestly, it was so dangerous.

"Obviously there's been a miscommunication somewhere but I've never experienced that before, and I haven't really seen that in the past. It's pretty unacceptable.

"We can't understand how on a live track, marshals can be allowed to just run across the track like that. I have no idea why, I'm sure we'll get some sort of explanation, but it really can't happen again."

In a subsequent statement the FIA said: "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"As soon as it became apparent that Lawson had pitted, the instructions to dispatch marshals were rescinded, and a double yellow flag was shown in that area.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."

The statement concluded: "We would like to underline our respect and appreciation for the local ASN, OMDAI, as well as the Autodromo 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."

Check out our Sunday gallery from Mexico City here.

LATEST NEWS

more news >

LATEST IMAGES

galleries >

Click to go to the main galleries section

READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by BillH, 29/10/2025 18:32

"@Trackrecords, I can only comment on my experience where there is only a few marshal on each post. Larger events, particularly enduro, have larger teams that rotate to the front line to give each other a break.
I have heard for example that SuperCars can have three active marshals out of say four or five with one chief marshal at the post leading the others and using hand signals or being behind the marshals and tapping the flag waver on when and which flag to wave.
At a modern circuit, we use lights, flags being for technical failure or if race control take over the lights (red, green, safety car) and flags are used for warning of marshals on track, slow vehicle etc.
Usually there is two people per post, both with radios.
Each recovery person has a radio too as it is noisy very important to communicate with each other and back to race control about the progress of a recovery, driver status etc.
Those times I did marshal without a radio I felt rather left out of what was happening.
If anyone gets the chance to volunteer at an event, definitely give it a go. Depending on the position there is no better way to get closer to the cars and all those involved."

Rating: Neutral (0) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

2. Posted by Italian Job, 28/10/2025 8:11

"Back in the 70's, Jacky Ickx spent some time on a Marshalls' point at Brands (I think) during a sportscar race. After a while he walked back to the paddock having decided that he wasn't brave enough.. . . ."

Rating: Neutral (0) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

3. Posted by trackrecords, 28/10/2025 4:18

"@ BillH I thought that all marshals had whistles to alert each other of dangers. But of course, wearing ear protection would rather hinder being aware of any whistles, and the cars will arrive rather fast, even when you can hear them. Surely, each post could have it's own mini radio system. Of all the money spent in F1, multiple 2-way radio sets would not be that expensive?"

Rating: Positive (1) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

4. Posted by kenji, 28/10/2025 2:06

"It really beggars belief that a business/sport that deals in billions of dollars cannot afford to pay all those people who make it happen on the day! "

Rating: Positive (1) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

5. Posted by BillH, 27/10/2025 17:06

"As a marshal, the number one rule is safety first.
Race Control is just that, control over the race and everything that goes on regarding marshals and recovery vehicles.
What I'm not sure about is how the marshals at that circuit are informed of what is going on in terms of vehicles on track. Not all marshals have radios, usually the chief marshal and one other.
Marshals are usually not allowed on a "live" track unless it is a safety car controlled event and usually that is the recovery team, not flag marshals. This could differ from track to track.
Race control has full knowledge of what is happening on the whole track whereas marshals at a point don't have all the information available.
In a gazilion dollar sport, many of the positions at a track are crewed by volunteers who are only as good as their experience and training.
Without these volunteers the racing wouldn't be able to take place.
Hopefully lessons can be learned from this incident to improve safety across the sport."

Rating: Positive (2) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

6. Posted by ffracer, 27/10/2025 14:00

"Thank you Liam for that brilliant piece of defensive driving. Well done. Although it wasn't a long straight and flat out over the crest of a
hill, couldn't stop thinking about the late great Tom Pryce, who never stood a chance as well as that young poorly instructed marshal, dying with only the best intentions.

I have only love for all the marshals I been privileged to meet. Volunteers, in the worst conditions at best lol, work tirelessly for a hot lunch, are briefed often but, sometimes, those hypothetical situations in the meetings, need more practice under more intensive conditions? Just relaxing what a couple of senior flagstand marshals reiterated to me recently. Please, don't misconstrue, I have been aided by some fearless marshals out of a few massive wrecks lol, the most respect for them"

Rating: Positive (3) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

Lawson in marshals near miss

LATEST NEWS

RELATED ARTICLES

LATEST IMAGES

POST A COMMENT

Post your comment

READERS COMMENTS

Share this page