Esteban Ocon says FIA and F1 apologized after Azerbaijan GP pit-lane incident; The Alpine driver narrowly avoided a crew gathering in the pit lane. Watch this weekend’s Miami GP exclusively on Sky Sports F1
By Jonathan Green
21:04, UK, Thursday 04 May 2023
Esteban Ocon says he has received an apology from the FIA and Formula 1 following his lapse with crew in the pit lane at the end of last Sunday’s Azerbaijan GP.
The Alpine driver waited until the end of the penultimate lap to arrive for his mandatory pit stop in Baku, but in shocking footage, officials were already erecting parc ferm barriers and crews were ready at the start of the pit lane. The stage when the Frenchman entered.
An investigation by post-race stewards forced the FIA to take „immediate steps” to ensure the incident does not happen again, and Ocon said he had received an apology for the incident at the Miami GP.
After the photographers started pouring in before the end of the Azerbaijan GP, Esteban Okan drove through a packed pit lane and described it as a 'terrible’ experience.
„The FIA apologized and Formula 1,” he said Sky Sports News’ Craig Slater.
„They assured us that this will not happen again. Thank God nothing happened and everything is fine from now on.
„We’re racing at that time. It’s normal for nobody to be in the pit lane until we’re racing like that.
„These things don’t usually happen and the FIA has assured us that they’re making sure they change the protocol and make sure there’s no one in the pit lane until the end, so I’m sure we won’t see that. Any more.”
The FIA’s updated protocols have yet to be released, and none were mentioned in the race director’s notes for this weekend’s Miami GP.
The incident happened in Baku as race winner Sergio Perez entered the final stage of his final lap.
As it turns out, Sky Sports F1 Pit-lane reporter Ted Kravitz said: “There are people all over pit lane.
„What is it all about? It’s a mess, it’s a complete wreck.
„We could see it coming, we could see Alpine coming, what was going on down there?”
Race stewards admitted it was fortunate no one was injured in the incident and the FIA representatives must immediately change their post-race procedures to prevent a repeat in the future.
Sky Sports’ Natalie Pinkham breaks down what to expect from the Miami GP as F1 comes to America for the first time this season.
Sky Sports F1 live Miami GP schedule
Friday
6.30pm: Miami GP Practice One (Session starts at 7pm)
8.30pm: F1 Show: Miami
10.15pm: Miami GP practice two (session starts at 10.30pm)
Saturday
5.15pm: Miami GP practice three (session starts at 5.30pm)
8pm: Miami GP Qualifying Build-up
9pm: Miami GP Qualifiers
10.45pm: Dead qualification notebook
Sunday
7pm: Grand Prix Sunday Miami GP build-up
8.30pm: Miami Grand Prix
10.30pm: Checked flag Miami GB reaction
11.30pm: Ted’s Notebook
The Formula 1 season continues this weekend with the Miami GP. Lights out at 8.30pm on Sunday and watch the qualifiers at 9pm on Saturday. Get Sky Sports