Last weekend's Monaco Grand Prix was a tense affair that had an extremely somber mood. Formula 1 legend Niki Lauda had passed away earlier that week, and everyone was mourning his death.
Though he ended up taking the win home, Lewis Hamilton was "too raw" speak at the remembrance ceremony at the start of the weekend, and had to pass the duties on to his Mercedes teammate.
After this incident, I’m just very happy with the outcome of my day. That we all can go back home safe and sound with our families. For the safety of the marshals I hope it never happens again! 🙏 #MonacoGP #Checo11 pic.twitter.com/PP8Me3Frlz
— Sergio Pérez (@SChecoPerez) May 26, 2019
Despite the mood, the weekend was filled with all the drama of a standard Grand Prix weekend. There were hectic moments and happy moments alike, but Racing Point driver Sergio Perez was the scariest.
Perez posted the footage on Twitter just a few days ago, which shows how close the marshals really came to being hit. The driver had exited the pit lane and quickly sped through the tight turns of the Monaco street course. He rounded a corner and spotted the two men in the middle of the track just in time, and managed to slow right down.
The marshals were picking up debris from an earlier crash and were on either side of the track when Perez rounded the corner. While one managed to get to the side of the track, the other was forced to make a split-second decision and jump into the middle of the track to get clear.
After the near-miss, Perez immediately got on his radio and asked "What was wrong with those marshals? I nearly killed them."
In his Twitter post, Perez commented on how pleased he was with the outcome of the situation: "After this incident, I’m just very happy with the outcome of my day. That we all can go back home safe and sound with our families. For the safety of the marshals I hope it never happens again!"
An alternative view of Sergio Perez's close shave with the marshals. Damn that was close...pic.twitter.com/9sKi6B078D
— Planet F1 (@Planet_F1) May 28, 2019
These incidents serve as a reminder of how dangerous the Formula 1 track really is, not just for the drivers.
Numerous track marshals have been killed over the last few decades, with the latest being in 2013 when one was hit at the Canadian Grand Prix by a support vehicle.