Horrifying moment Esteban Ocon almost runs over photographers in middle of pitlane at ‘shambolic’ Azerbaijan GP

CHAOTIC scenes took place at the end of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on Sunday when Esteban Ocon almost ran over photographers as he made his way into the pitlane.

The Alpine driver, 26, was forced into stopping on the last lap of the race as he dropped out of the points.

But things could have ended a whole lot worse for the Frenchman through no fault of his own.

As he dived into the pitlane, F1 photographers were blocking the entrance by covering the track.

And Ocon's on-board camera showed he was desperately close to hitting those that reacted at the last possible moment.

The Frenchman's skill to slam on his brakes saved lives as the FIA stewards launched an investigation into why people were allowed into the pit lane, despite Ocon being yet to pit for fresh tyres.

Ocon said: "I'm arriving at 300kmh [186 mph], breaking very late, and I see the barriers, I see the people around. This is crazy.

"It could have been a big, big one today. This is definitely something that needs to be discussed. It's something we don't want to see.

"I had to lift off. I had to back off. I would not have liked to be the one in the middle there, I have to say, at the speed that we are arriving there, especially so close to the line.

"If I missed the braking point, it's a big disaster."

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F1 reporter Ted Kravitz was speaking to commentator David Croft when the incident took place.

And he reacted angrily to the dangerous episode.

Kravitz said: "What is this about? This is a shambles, an absolute shambles.

"We can see it coming. Alpine can see it coming. What is going on down there?"

Croft then added: "That is a total and utter shambles of organisation and somebody should have known."

The shambolic scenes mean that the FIA are again thrust into the spotlight.

In the Saudi Arabian GP it took them FOUR hours to confirm Fernando Alonso's third place.

And at the Australian Grand Prix they bungled the end to the GP as they tried to figure out their own rulebook.

Under normal circumstances, barriers are erected in the parc ferme area in the pit lane in the final stages of the race, with photographers and TV crews allowed early access so they can set up for their shots.

While it is rare that a driver would make a pitstop on the final lap, it was obvious that Ocon would have to pit for his mandatory stop of the race.

The FIA stewards summoned their own employees to the post-race investigation and it was unsurprising that after effectively marking their own homework, they came to a weak conclusion that they would try better next time.

Their statement said: "We noted that it was not unusual for the representatives to allow such persons into the pit lane just before the end of the race, in the usual course of preparation for parc ferme and the Podium ceremony.

"However, in this case, there was one driver that had to pit in the last lap and this created a very dangerous situation for those that were in the pit lane at the time.

"We considered that it was fortunate that there were no serious consequences on account of what happened.

"We walked through the relevant procedures and protocol and required them to take immediate steps to reconsider these procedures to ensure that this situation
does not occur again.

"The FIA representatives expressed their regret at what happened and assured us that they would do so in time for the next event."

Ocon's late pitstop saw him finish 15th as he remains on just four points from four races.

Meanwhile, Red Bull continued their dominant start to the season as they picked up their fourth successive win.

But it was Sergio Perez who outperformed reigning world champion Max Verstappen to claim victory, with Ferrari's Charles Leclerc rounding out the podium places.

The result leaves Verstappen just six points ahead of team-mate Perez in the drivers' standings.

Next weekend the paddock heads to the US for the Miami Grand Prix.