Esteban Ocon furious about the presence of photographers in the pitlane upon his arrival to the stands
During the last lap of the race, the French driver had to avoid numerous individuals, including photographers, as he was about to change tires.
The drama was narrowly avoided. In the last lap of the race, Esteban Ocon returned to the pits to change his set of tires, as required by the regulations. He had been on hard tires since the beginning of the race and switched to soft ones.
Yes, but before the change, he faced a surprising and dangerous situation. An impressive crowd was present at the foot of the podium and part of it was in the pit lane where the drivers circulate. Fortunately, everyone moved aside in time, but the drama was narrowly averted.
« This is not something we want to see. I don’t understand why we’re starting to prepare the podium and the ceremony when we are still in the race, there’s still one lap left, and there are still drivers who haven’t made their pit stop », complains the number 31 driver.
« In short, it was a crazy moment »
« I’m reaching 300 km/h, I brake very late and I see the barriers and people all around. It’s crazy, it could have been very serious today. It’s really something that needs to be discussed, because it’s something we don’t want to see. »
« I had to slow down, I had to take my foot off the gas, so I wouldn’t have wanted to be the ones in the middle. If I miss my braking point, it’s a real disaster. In short, it was a crazy moment. »
The FIA has launched an investigation into this incident that could have been dramatic.
Why are there photographers in the pitlane during the race?
The FIA prohibits photographers from being present during the race near the pit lane. Only photographers assigned to the teams are allowed inside each team’s garage, but they cannot be on the pit lane under any circumstances. Unlike other sessions such as qualifications or free practices where tension is lower.
However, a few minutes before the end of the Grand Prix, most photographers like to gather at the entrance of the pit lane. This allows them to get the best position to photograph the drivers as they get into their cars at the foot of the podium and when they lift the trophies. The FIA therefore usually allows the drivers to cross the pit lane as soon as the first one has crossed the finish line.
In Baku, Esteban Ocon entered the pitlane on the last lap to make his pit stop. Just before Perez crossed the finish line. The crowd was already quite disorganized, and some photographers had started crossing the pitlane despite the prohibitions from certain officials who were controlling access to this area. Some photographers may have their accreditation revoked in the next races.
