WATCH: Azerbaijan GP Almost Ends In Disaster In Pit Lane "Shambles"

The Azerbaijan Grand Prix almost ended in disaster as photographers and other staff began to flood the pit lane whilst the race was still ongoing and Esteban Ocon came in for a final pit stop.
"This is a SHAMBLES, absolute shambles!!" 😮 pic.twitter.com/cKk0NuPJUv
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) April 30, 2023
Fans could see Ocon heading into the pit lane as a large group of people were making their way across to see the finish line. The photographers and staff had to run out of the way of the Alpine as the French driver came in for his mandatory stop.
F1 fans have been hitting out at management over the ridiculous moment. F1 journalist Matt Bishop posted to social media:
"#AzerbaijanGP: a chaotic, dangerous & unimpressive ending."
#AzerbaijanGP: a chaotic, dangerous & unimpressive ending. 😬🙄🤔 pic.twitter.com/soiCDpIzJr
— Matt Bishop 🏳️🌈 🏁 (@TheBishF1) April 30, 2023
"Ocon nearly just ran 20 ppl over, wtf are they doing in the pitlane when the race ain’t finished"
Ocon nearly just ran 20 ppl over, wtf are they doing in the pitlane when the race ain’t finished
— Max Fewtrell (@Max_Fewtrell) April 30, 2023
"F1 didn’t learn after Albon pitted on the last lap in Australia 2022 and there were fans in the pit lane whilst he was pitting Doesn’t matter if it’s lap 1 or the final lap of the race, the pit lane is live and dangerous until the leader crosses the line and the race is over"
F1 didn’t learn after Albon pitted on the last lap in Australia 2022 and there were fans in the pit lane whilst he was pitting
— Aldas🇱🇹 (@Aldas001) April 30, 2023
Doesn’t matter if it’s lap 1 or the final lap of the race, the pit lane is live and dangerous until the leader crosses the line and the race is over
"I worry that there are things f1 will never learn from. imagine how different that could’ve been should someone have been a second too late to move. disgraceful."
i worry that there are things f1 will never learn from. imagine how different that could’ve been should someone have been a second too late to move. disgraceful.
— ellie mae 🏁 (@elliemae_F1) April 30, 2023
"How was this allowed to happen?"
How was this allowed to happen? pic.twitter.com/OkUiBOVDCx
— Freeman (@FreemanLowell01) April 30, 2023
"The pit lane situation at the end of the #AzerbaijanGP should never be able to happen. Absolutely ridiculous, dangerous, and shambolic."
The pit lane situation at the end of the #AzerbaijanGP should never be able to happen. Absolutely ridiculous, dangerous, and shambolic. #F1 #f1twt #F12023 pic.twitter.com/KhySUmJVgE
— Lydia Mee (@LMeeMotorsport) April 30, 2023
"This was disgusting. Not a good look for F1..."
This was disgusting. Not a good look for F1...#F1 #AzerbaijanGP https://t.co/qCNnfrzMLa
— Alex Harrington (@AlexOnRacing) April 30, 2023

Lydia is the lead editor of F1 editorial. After following the sport for several years, she was finally able to attend the British Grand Prix in person in 2017. Since then, she's been addicted to not only the racing, but the atmosphere the fans bring to each event. She's a strong advocate for women in motorsport and a more diverse industry.
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