‘Absolute shambles’: Esteban Ocon almost drives into F1 photographers in near-disaster

Photographers were walking freely in the Baku pit lane when the Alpine car came in for his pit stop

Esteban Ocon enters the pit lane and photographers leap out of the way (Sky Sports F1 )

There was almost a disaster at the end of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix when Formula 1 photographers were forced to avoid Esteban Ocon in the pit lane.

Organisers will be facing questions after photographers gathered at the start of the pit lane - ahead of the post-race podium - just before the race finished in Baku.

Yet Alpine’s Esteban Ocon – who had to pit before the final lap for his requisite pit stop – was storming down the pit lane.

The Frenchman slowed, as a few photographers had to leap for cover, with the whole incident broadcasted live. The FIA said in a statement: It was fortunate there were no serious consequences.

“We walked through procedures with FIA representatives and required them to take immediate steps to reconsider protocols.”

Sky Sports commentator David Croft described it as an “utter shambles of organisation.”

Pit lane reporter Ted Kravitz added: “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?!”

Ocon said in the media pen afterwards: “This is crazy.

“It could have been a big, big one today. It’s definitely something that needs to be discussed.”

Red bull boss Christian Horner added: “That needs a review. That’s something the FIA need to police better before the end of the race.”

Sergio Perez won the race, leading home a Red Bull one-two, with Max Verstappen in second.

Charles Leclerc claimed Ferrari’s first podium of the season in third.