Liam Lawson’s Heart-Stopping Near-Miss: Another Scare at the Las Vegas GP!
In a shocking turn of events during the 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix, Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson found himself at the center of a near-disastrous incident that could have ended in catastrophe. On November 22, while the race was heating up, Lawson narrowly avoided colliding with a marshal on the track, just weeks after a similar scare in Mexico City.
The drama unfolded on Lap 16, amidst a chaotic scene where a virtual safety car was deployed to clear wreckage from a collision involving Williams’ Alex Albon and Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton. With drivers mandated to slow down by 40% and remain vigilant, Lawson’s onboard footage revealed the unsettling moment a marshal appeared on the circuit far too soon for comfort.
“Ah, mate. I just about had the same thing with a marshal,” Lawson exclaimed over the team radio, his voice laced with disbelief. “Mate, he just jumped on the track again!” This chilling revelation underscores the alarming pattern of near-misses the young Kiwi has faced this season, raising serious questions about track safety protocols.
But Lawson’s race was already off to a rocky start. Shortly after the marshal incident, he crashed into Oscar Piastri at Turn 1, resulting in front-wing damage that sent him plummeting from sixth to last place. While Piastri managed to recover and finish fourth, Lawson crossed the line in 16th, a lap down from race winner Max Verstappen, a disappointing outcome that cost his team precious points in the constructors’ championship.
Reflecting on the series of events, Lawson expressed his frustration at misjudging his braking point in the chilly conditions. “I went far too deep and cost my team valuable points,” he lamented, a sentiment that echoes the weight of responsibility felt by drivers in such high-stakes environments.
This marks the third time in 2025 that Lawson has faced a close call with marshals, following a harrowing experience in Mexico City where he nearly struck two officials clearing debris. Initially, the governing body OMDAI Sport Mexico attempted to place blame on Lawson, but the FIA later cleared him of wrongdoing, confirming he adhered to yellow flag protocols.
“I had a talk with them [FIA] and I appreciated that a lot,” Lawson stated, reflecting on the safety concerns that have plagued his season. “There’s always a possibility of something like this, and obviously what’s most important is that the action is taken now to prevent it.”
This season has been a rollercoaster for Lawson, who also encountered a near-miss at the Monaco GP in May. As the 2025 Formula 1 season approaches its conclusion on December 7, fans and officials alike are left wondering: Will Lawson’s luck change, or is he destined to be a magnet for perilous situations on the track?
As the dust settles on the Las Vegas GP, one thing is clear: the stakes have never been higher, and the need for stringent safety measures has never been more urgent. The world watches with bated breath as Lawson navigates the treacherous waters of Formula 1, hoping for safer and more thrilling races ahead.








