The shocking moment F2 star Victor Martins was inches from taking out a marshal in Monaco after ignoring double yellow flags…as the debate over spectator and staff safety continues after multiple near misses in the recent weeks
- A marshal was on the track assisting in a crash and was nearly wiped out
- Martins received a drive through penalty for the incident during the race
- Esteban Ocon and Lando Norris have also been involved in near misses lately
F2 driver Victor Martins nearly wiped out a marshal at Sunday’s race in Monaco.
The Frenchman was handed a drive through penalty for failing to slow under double yellow flags, missing the marshal, who was on track to deal with an incident, by inches.
The incident occurred when Jack Doohan’s car caught fire after 22 laps, with several marshals on track to put out the flames.
A double yellow flag was waved but Martins failed to slow down and almost caused tragedy except for a late turn.
The Alpine Academy driver could have caused more chaotic scenes with several marshals involved in putting out Doohan’s fire, and he too could have crashed into the car itself.
F2 star Victor Martins almost wiped out a marshal at Sunday’s race in Monaco
He came within inches of knocking out the member of staff, as safety remains a hot topic
The Marshal was on the track putting out a fire in Jack Doohan’s car (pictured) when they were nearly hit
He took the punishment, but social media called for a harsher punishment given the dangerous nature of what happened.
“He should have been disqualified from the race,” said one Twitter user.
“How on earth Victor Martins is still in the race after what he did is unbelievable,” said another. “Should have been black flagged and banned from the next event.
“Only a drive-through penalty for almost running into two marshals. I’ve had enough of those incompetent stewards.’
A third added: ‘Driving through is not enough for Victor Martins there – should have been disqualified.’
Martins was handed a drive through penalty for the incident, although others requested a disqualification
The safety of spectators and staff has been a hot topic in motorsport lately and this is just the latest incident in a series of close calls.
Earlier this year, Esteban Ocon narrowly missed a group of F1 staffers and photographers at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix when he pitted towards the end of the race.
He criticized the staff for pitting when the race was still in progress, calling the situation “not what we want to see.”
Lando Norris, meanwhile, almost hit someone who walked right over the pit entrance during the last race in Miami.