We got a classic Formula 1 race in Azerbaijan. I don’t mean “classic” in that this race will be memorable. I mean “classic” in the sense that there was barely any passing, and a bunch of people almost got run over.
In the final lap of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Alpine driver Esteban Ocon had to pit on the final lap. As he started on hard tires, which lasted the entire race, he had to pit to adhere to FIA regulations on taking two different types of tire.
Not everyone got the message, so as Red Bull’s Sergio Pérez was on his last lap to score his second win of the season, officials were preparing for parc fermé while a bunch of photographers crowded a live pit lane just as Ocon entered the pit.
Sky Sports pit reporter Ted Kravitz saw this was coming, and you could hear the panic in his voice on the broadcast as the moment was getting closer and closer to happening.
Thankfully, everyone was able to get out of the way in time, and Ocon didn’t hit anyone, but this was a total lack of organization, and it came close to being one of the more tragic incidents in F1 history. Even at pit lane speed (37 mph), you do not want to get hit by one of these cars.
The onboard footage from Esteban Ocon's near miss in the pitlane 😳 pic.twitter.com/OqyKq79nFj
— ESPN F1 (@ESPNF1) April 30, 2023
While we all wanted a more exciting race, we didn’t want this. And the F1 world was a mix of anger that this happened and relief that no one was seriously hurt or killed.
This could have been a disaster. Like Gasly in Japan last year, feels like an incredibly lucky near miss again pic.twitter.com/r4G3WTKQdz
— Nate Saunders (@natesaundersF1) April 30, 2023
A dud of a race capped off by a near disastrous incident on pit lane. Not a banner day for F1 in Baku.
— Jordan Bianchi (@Jordan_Bianchi) April 30, 2023
WHAT ON EARTH WAS THIS!????
Ocon comes into the pits to a wall of personnel 🫣 #F1 #AzerbaijanGP pic.twitter.com/r965Tj5hxY
— Autosport (@autosport) April 30, 2023
A terrible race finishing with an absolute shambles in the pit lane with ocons pit stop #F1 #AzerbaijanGP pic.twitter.com/65LwcpeS3Z
— F1 Portrayed By Top Gear (@TopGearFormula1) April 30, 2023
They're literally putting a barrier across the pit entry as Ocon is coming in 😭 pic.twitter.com/HBIw7w1Vio
— Tom Bellingham (@TomP1Bellingham) April 30, 2023
That race was so terrible that Ocon almost committing mass vehicular manslaughter in trying to follow the rules was the most notable part of it 😳 pic.twitter.com/r5r8M6LZSh
— MSportBanter 🏁 (@MSportBanter) April 30, 2023
This is unacceptable. It’s a level of negligence that can’t happen given the stage and safety risk.
Good job by Ocon to avoid calamity in a situation he shouldn’t be subjected to. https://t.co/g81l1R8mC2
— Aaron Bearden (@aaronbearden93) April 30, 2023
the next tweet from Esteban Ocon pic.twitter.com/3Q4jMp1Cbh
— megs (@44megs) April 30, 2023
After the race, Ocon told reporters that the situation was “crazy” and “definitely something that needs to be discussed.”
The FIA is investigating the pit lane incident at the end of the race. Ocon understandably upset, told us in the media pen: "This is crazy. It could have been a big, big one today. It’s definitely something that needs to be discussed." #F1 #AzerbaijanGP
— Luke Smith (@LukeSmithF1) April 30, 2023
Overall, this will probably go down as one of the worst races of the year. At a circuit that usually has one of the more exciting races of the year.
