Ever had a close call at work? Imagine it at 200mph! McLaren got hit with a €5000 fine after Oscar Piastri’s unexpected pitlane maneuver nearly ended in a collision with George Russell at the Dutch GP. What really happened in that chaotic moment?

The intensity of Formula 1 racing extends beyond the track, as a recent incident during the Dutch Grand Prix practice session at Zandvoort highlighted critical pitlane safety concerns, ultimately leading to a significant fine for McLaren Racing.

During a red flag period in Friday’s second practice, drivers carefully navigated their way back to the pitlane. It was in this controlled chaos that Oscar Piastri, piloting his McLaren F1 car, initiated what appeared to be a routine entry into his designated pitbox.

However, Piastri’s path was unexpectedly obstructed by team personnel pushing a rear jack, forcing the young Australian driver to make an immediate, unforeseen adjustment. Signaled by another team member, Piastri altered his trajectory to bypass the obstruction, a decision that briefly took him back into the fast lane of the pit complex.

This slight deviation almost resulted in a dangerous collision. As Piastri momentarily re-entered the fast lane, George Russell, who was proceeding cautiously, was forced to brake heavily and take immediate evasive action to avoid contact, a moment that visibly startled the Mercedes driver.

Russell later recounted the incident, expressing his surprise and the inherent risks even at low speeds in the pitlane. “I think he pulled in a bit too early, pulled back out, so just a bit unfortunate, but it scared me a bit,” Russell admitted, emphasizing the unexpected nature of the near-miss while he was “chilling out” and reviewing data on his screen.

The stewards swiftly investigated the pitlane contretemps, noting that the situation, although thankfully not resulting in a collision, “could have resulted in injury to one or more personnel in the pitlane.” This grave assessment underscored the serious implications of any misjudgment within the confined and busy pit environment at the Dutch Grand Prix.

Consequently, the FIA stewards issued a €5000 penalty to McLaren, determining that the team failed to provide its driver with adequate warning regarding the blocked pitbox. This oversight was deemed to have directly contributed to the unsafe situation that unfolded with Oscar Piastri’s evasive maneuver.

While initially considering an infringement under Article 55.5, which pertains to erratic driving under a safety car, the stewards ultimately concluded that Article 12.2.1.h of the International Sporting Code was more appropriate. This article addresses “any unsafe act or failure to take reasonable measures, thus resulting in an unsafe situation,” perfectly encapsulating the team’s responsibility in the incident.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the constant vigilance required in all aspects of Formula 1, even in practice sessions, emphasizing the paramount importance of pitlane safety protocols for both drivers and team personnel.