Just a few weeks after the incident involving Liam Lawson and two marshals at the Mexico City Grand Prix, the timing of FIA marshal interventions is once again under scrutiny. During the main race in Las Vegas, multiple officials were on the track again after the chaos in the opening round, while cars were already approaching in the distance. After severe criticism of the race direction, the FIA defended its decision-making.
The opening round of the Las Vegas Grand Prix was marred by multiple collisions in the first corner. Debris was scattered in the runoff area, prompting marshals from their post to clean up the wreckage. Although the carbon pieces initially seemed to be outside the racing line, several marshals still ran towards the guardrail to pick up debris. Race leader Max Verstappen was already about to start his second lap at that time. Nevertheless, the race direction decided to only wave double yellow flags, instead of deploying a virtual safety car.
Criticism
This decision led to sharp criticism, including from former FIA race director Niels Wittich. However, the FIA views the situation differently than the incident in Mexico City, where Liam Lawson actually had to brake to avoid hitting marshals. Because the debris in Las Vegas was in the runoff area – and thus on the same side as the marshal post – officials did not need to cross the track according to the FIA. This would justify the use of double yellow flags.
Double yellow flags were also waved up to the blind final corner, so that drivers could brake early. Based on the onboard footage from Verstappen, the FIA concluded afterwards that the measures taken had been sufficient, despite some marshals not having returned to their post when the cars approached. A virtual safety car was deployed a lap later when new debris was discovered in the second corner. A piece of front wing was close to the racing line, requiring marshals to cross the track. In this case, double yellow was no longer sufficient according to the FIA.
