Absolute SHAMBLES: Scary scenes at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix as Esteban Ocon comes in for his stop only to find people blocking the pitlane BEFORE the race was over
- last year
Shambolic scenes marred the end of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix as Esteban Ocon came in for a late pitstop only to come across several people blocking the track.
Photographers and Formula One personnel were getting in position during the final lap of the race to await race winner Sergio Perez, along with Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc who rounded off the podium.
However, Alpine driver Ocon had not made his obligatory pit stop and was set to come into the pitlane before he started his final lap.
The Frenchman pulled in only to discover a host of people blocking the pitlane, with two people even seeing putting a barrier across the pit entry where Ocon was set to drive through seconds later.
Fortunately, those who were standing in the dangerous position noticed the Alpine driver just in time to dart out of the way and avoid getting struck.
Sky Sports pundit Ted Kravitz had seen a potential issue coming noting that personnel was blocking the pitlane and that Ocon needed to make an extra stop.
However, those organizing the arrival of those who finished in the podium positions and photographers were not aware that the Frenchman still had time to do a pitstop.
As the incident occurred, Kravitz said: 'What is this about? This is a shambles, absolute shambles.
'We could see it coming. Alpine could see it coming. What is going on down there?'
Sky commentator David Croft added: 'That is a total and utter shambles of organization and someone should have known.'
Organisers will undoubtedly be facing questions after the incident which so easily could have had disastrous consequences.
Formula One rules mean that every driver must make one pit stop during the race so that they can switch to a different type of tire compound.
Ocon stayed out as long as possible as a late safety car could have helped the Frenchman finish higher up the order than if he took his pitstop under normal racing conditions.
No late safety car arrived so the Frenchman had to pit ahead of the final lap of the race otherwise he would be disqualified from the race.
Despite it being obvious that Ocon was set to pit, people appeared to be allowed into the pitlane, with photographers getting in position to take pictures of the top three.
It was a shocking ending to what had been a very uneventful race, with Perez seeing off his teammate Verstappen, while Leclerc just held off Fernando Alonso for the final podium spot......
Photographers and Formula One personnel were getting in position during the final lap of the race to await race winner Sergio Perez, along with Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc who rounded off the podium.
However, Alpine driver Ocon had not made his obligatory pit stop and was set to come into the pitlane before he started his final lap.
The Frenchman pulled in only to discover a host of people blocking the pitlane, with two people even seeing putting a barrier across the pit entry where Ocon was set to drive through seconds later.
Fortunately, those who were standing in the dangerous position noticed the Alpine driver just in time to dart out of the way and avoid getting struck.
Sky Sports pundit Ted Kravitz had seen a potential issue coming noting that personnel was blocking the pitlane and that Ocon needed to make an extra stop.
However, those organizing the arrival of those who finished in the podium positions and photographers were not aware that the Frenchman still had time to do a pitstop.
As the incident occurred, Kravitz said: 'What is this about? This is a shambles, absolute shambles.
'We could see it coming. Alpine could see it coming. What is going on down there?'
Sky commentator David Croft added: 'That is a total and utter shambles of organization and someone should have known.'
Organisers will undoubtedly be facing questions after the incident which so easily could have had disastrous consequences.
Formula One rules mean that every driver must make one pit stop during the race so that they can switch to a different type of tire compound.
Ocon stayed out as long as possible as a late safety car could have helped the Frenchman finish higher up the order than if he took his pitstop under normal racing conditions.
No late safety car arrived so the Frenchman had to pit ahead of the final lap of the race otherwise he would be disqualified from the race.
Despite it being obvious that Ocon was set to pit, people appeared to be allowed into the pitlane, with photographers getting in position to take pictures of the top three.
It was a shocking ending to what had been a very uneventful race, with Perez seeing off his teammate Verstappen, while Leclerc just held off Fernando Alonso for the final podium spot......