Formula 1 faces further questions about pit lane safety after footage emerged of another worrying near miss.
It happened during the Miami Grand Prix, when Lando Norris was called in for a change of tyres. Cameras mounted on board the McLaren showed a man was walking directly across the pit lane entrance just as Norris arrived at speed.
The racer did not need to swerve to avoid hitting the man, but it was a close call. An F1 spokesperson told Mirror Sport that the FIA is responsible for operating the pit lane during a Grand Prix.
And this latest safety risk comes just a week after an FIA gaffe allowed a group of photographers into parc ferme before the Azerbaijan Grand Prix had concluded.
It is common practice as all the drivers have usually made their mandatory stops by that point, but that wasn't the case in Baku. Esteban Ocon was yet to pit after taking a strategy gamble and, as he arrived at the pit lane entrance, some of the people gathered there had to leap out of the way.
The FIA later said it "regretted" the close call and vowed to make improvements.
A stewards' note read: "We noted that it was not unusual for the representatives to allow such persons into the pit lane just before the end of the race, in the usual course of preparation for parc ferme and the podium ceremony.
"However, in this case, there was one driver that had to pit in the last lap and this created a very dangerous situation for those that were in the pit lane at the time. We considered that it was fortunate that there were no serious consequences on account of what happened today.
"We stressed that the requirements of ensuring a safe and orderly event are paramount. This was acknowledged by the FIA team. We walked through the relevant procedures and protocol with the FIA representatives in detail and required them to take immediate steps to reconsider these procedures and protocols with the relevant stakeholders (including FOM, the teams and the FIA) to ensure that this situation does not occur again."
This latest incident will cause further concern as, if left unchecked, these incidents may lead to a tragic accident. Ocon predicted as much as he reacted to his close call in Baku.
"I'm arriving at more than 300kph, leaving my braking as late as I can and they were just after the line as well so if I miss my braking point," said the Alpine driver.
"I had to brake, I had to avoid and it was pretty scary. Luckily it was all good. I had no idea that they were there. I've never seen that before."
