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FIA Defends Las Vegas GP Marshal Response as Former Race Director Calls It ‘Unacceptable’

The FIA maintains its actions matched protocol given workers were in the run-off, not on the racing line.

Overview

  • Marshals were visible in the Turn 1 run-off at the start of lap two in Las Vegas as debris from the opening-corner collisions was being cleared.
  • Race control had double-waved yellows covering the approach and through Turn 1, with an earlier single yellow shown as a warning on the short straight.
  • The FIA says it was aware of the marshal presence, cites no miscommunication, and deems the clean-up correctly managed under its procedures.
  • A Virtual Safety Car was deployed shortly afterward when debris was reported on the racing surface, which the FIA says warranted the escalation.
  • Ex-race director Niels Wittich condemned the scene as “absolutely unacceptable” and argued an immediate full-course yellow should have been used, a debate sharpened by a recent Mexico near-miss that remains under investigation.