Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson (file photo) Photo: AFP
New Zealand driver Liam Lawson has been forced to retire early in a dramatic Formula One Mexican Grand Prix in which he came close to hitting two people running on the track.
After starting 15th on the grid Lawson was involved in a first lap collision with Williams rival Carlos Sainz, which forced him into the pits.
A damaged front wing was was replaced by the Racing Bulls crew, but Lawson's return to the track was short-lived and he retired in the sixth lap.
Footage emerged later of Lawson narrowly missing two marshals who were on the track, as he accelerated out of the pit lane.
Two men were on the track clearing debris, unaware the New Zealander had dropped behind the field.
Liam Lawson behind the wheel (file photo). Photo: Photosport
Lawson was clearly rattled, judging by an exchange with a Racing Bulls engineer on their team radio immediately after the incident.
"Oh my god, are you kidding me," Lawson said.
"Did you see that? I could have f...ing killed him mate."
The engineer praised Lawson for avoiding the pair.
Lawson retired a handful of laps later, to register his fifth non-finish of his season.
Norris victorious
Lando Norris avoided the early mayhem to win from pole position and take the championship lead from McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri, by a single point.
Oscar Piastri head of McLaren team-mate Lando Norris at an earlier event this season. Photo: FLORENT GOODEN / PHOTOSPORT
Piastri, who started the race in seventh place and 14 points clear of the Briton, finished fifth.
Charles Leclerc was runner-up for Ferrari, 30.3 seconds behind Norris, while Red Bull's reigning champion Max Verstappen took his sixth successive podium in third place, after a nailbiting finish just 0.7 behind the Monegasque.
Oliver Bearman was fourth, for Haas, in a career best result for the Briton, a late virtual safety car ending Piastri's hopes of getting past.
The Brazilian Grand Prix will be contested early next month.
- Reuters, with additional reporting from RNZ
