Liam Lawson has been defended by the FIA for his driving within the Mexico Metropolis Grand Prix, after the Mexican car membership accused him of not respecting yellow flags.
The FIA is investigating how two monitor marshals have been working throughout the circuit as Lawson took Flip 1 early in Sunday’s race, with the New Zealander saying “I might have f***ing killed them” on workforce radio and calling the incident unacceptable after getting out of his automobile. On Thursday, the FIA-sanctioned Mexican federation – Organizacion Mexicana De Automovilismo Internacional (OMDAI) – revealed a prolonged doc outlining the timeline of the incident that appeared to criticize Lawson’s actions on the time.
“Upon rejoining the monitor, Lawson encounters panel three displaying ‘double yellow flags,’ the workforce alerts the motive force by radio properly, because the monitor marshals’ put up waving bodily double yellow flags, indicating the presence of hazard and personnel engaged on the circuit,” OMDAI stated.
“It ought to be famous that the Racing Bulls workforce knowledgeable the motive force that there was particles on the monitor and that this part was underneath a double yellow flag, in order that he ought to take excessive precautions when driving by the world. Subsequently, at that second, the motive force needed to considerably scale back his pace, chorus from overtaking, and be ready to cease if obligatory, in compliance with present security laws.
“When analyzing the sequence from the digital camera on board the automobile, it may be seen that driver Liam Lawson, as he approaches Flip 1, begins to show to take the racing line, at which level the presence of the monitor marshals is clearly seen as they perform their intervention procedures to gather the items that had been left behind because of the earlier contact. The proximity of the automobile to the work space exhibits that the monitor marshals have been nonetheless lively throughout the dangerous space, performing cleansing and security duties on the circuit.
“The pictures clearly present that driver Liam Lawson maintains the steering wheel angle of his automobile when taking Flip 1, with out altering his trajectory, despite the fact that the monitor marshals have been crossing the monitor to return to their put up. This motion happens whereas personnel have been nonetheless working within the space, which exhibits that the motive force didn’t interrupt his line regardless of the apparent presence of marshals.”
The FIA has not taken kindly to the criticism of Lawson, making clear that the Racing Bulls driver had considerably diminished his pace in compliance with the yellow flags.
“While the investigation stays ongoing, we acknowledge that any state of affairs the place marshals discover themselves on monitor in entrance of oncoming automobiles is one thing we by no means wish to see, and therefore it’s pure that such an incident will provoke concern and quite a few feedback,” an FIA assertion learn. “It’s lucky this incident didn’t end in any severe penalties, however we’re conducting an inside investigation to grasp precisely what occurred and to determine any areas the place procedures might be improved.
“We’re collaborating overtly and transparently for this goal with the OMDAI (Mexican Vehicle Membership) and with Racing Bulls Components 1 workforce, with the final word goal to realize our widespread intention, which is to at all times enhance the security of our sport.
“As with all severe incidents, the total evaluation will take a while, because it entails amassing and reviewing all related proof, together with radio communications in a number of languages from the varied events concerned, and synchronizing all of those numerous inputs. The findings might be shared as soon as the evaluation is full.
“Having analyzed the telemetry from the incident, we will verify that the motive force of automobile No. 30, Liam Lawson, slowed appropriately and reacted appropriately to the double yellow flags displayed within the space, braking sooner than in different laps and passing considerably slower than racing pace into Flip 1. He’s not at fault on this incident.
“Lastly, we want to categorical our honest due to the volunteers and marshals for his or her professionalism and dedication – with out them, our sport couldn’t function safely.”
