Formula 1's governing body has deemed Liam Lawson not at fault for a near-miss incident with two race marshals during the Mexican Grand Prix.
Following a collision with Williams' Carlos Sainz on the opening lap, Lawson made an early pit stop for a new front wing and a fresh set of tires.
After exiting the pit lane, Lawson's onboard camera showed two marshals running across track directly in front of his car, seemingly unaware Lawson was so far behind the rest of the pack.
"What the ****? Oh my god!" A shocked Lawson could be heard saying over the radio to his race engineer.
"Did you see that? I could have **** killed him mate."
Lawson retired from the race several laps later.
The near-miss incident prompted an investigation by the International Automobile Federation (FIA), which said that, while its investigation remained ongoing, Lawson was not to blame.
"Having analysed the telemetry from the incident, we can confirm that the driver of Car #30, Liam Lawson, slowed appropriately and reacted correctly to the double yellow flags displayed in the area, braking earlier than in other laps and passing significantly slower than racing speed into Turn 1," it said.
"He is not at fault in this incident."
The FIA's statement comes after Mexican racing authorities suggested Lawson was to blame for the incident.
The Mexican Automobile Club (OMDAI) released a statement earlier this week, saying the Kiwi failed to change his racing line despite the marshals being visible on track.
"When analysing the sequence from the camera on board the car, it can be seen that driver Liam Lawson, as he approaches Turn 1, begins to turn to take the racing line, at which point the presence of the track marshals is clearly visible as they carry out their intervention procedures to collect the pieces that had been left behind as a result of the previous contact.
"The images clearly show that driver Liam Lawson maintains the steering wheel angle of his car when taking Turn 1, without changing his trajectory, even though the track marshals were crossing the track to return to their post.
"This action occurs while personnel were still working in the area, which shows that the driver did not interrupt his line despite the obvious presence of marshals on the track."
The FIA said it was fortunate the situation didn't result in any serious consequences, and said it was collaborating "openly and transparently" with the OMDAI and the Racing Bulls Formula One Team.
It also thanked the volunteer marshals for their professionalism and dedication.
"Without them, our sport could not operate safely."
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