Liam Lawson-F1 marshal close call branded 'crazy' in scathing criticism

Former F1 driver Martin Brundle has branded the close call that occurred between Liam Lawson and two marshals in Mexico as “crazy”.

The marshals were collecting bits of debris that had been deposited on the track on the opening lap.

However, Lawson pitted after picking up damage and came across the stretch of the circuit where the marshals were present, forcing them to scramble out of the way.

Lawson was blamed by Mexico’s motorsport federation for the near-miss, while the FIA declared the New Zealander was not at fault.

Speaking on the Sky F1 podcast, Brundle questioned the need for marshals to be on the track at all.

“It’s just unacceptable,” he said. “It was unacceptable to send them out there because, from what I could see, they picked up one piece in a run-off area and the biggest piece in the grass.

“What on earth were they doing out there? They didn’t need to be out there, especially as they had gone across the track twice to do that. That was absolutely crazy.

“I don’t think race control or the stewards had a particularly strong weekend, if I’m honest.

“I know it’s difficult. When you’ve got local people working trackside, you’ve got language issues, it’s not easy.

“It’s very easy to criticise, it’s not easy to drop in around the world and have instant brilliance in every respect.”

As marshals provide a crucial service in order for sessions to be carried out safely, Brundle highlighted that they are never out of the firing line.

The 66-year-old reflected on his own unfortunate incidents with the volunteers during his racing career.

“People, corner workers, marshals, paramedics who are out there, are out there for the drivers’ safety, and we owe them absolute safety back themselves,” Brundle said.

“I hit a marshal in a downpour in Suzuka once and smashed his legs. Nothing I could do about it, because I just aquaplaned off the track, but I still am sick to my stomach today, thinking about it.

“In the 80s, I was in a touring car race in Italy, and I reported some debris on the track. It turned out to be a dead marshal somebody had hit.”