Oliver Bearman Sanctioned After Accident in Practice for the British GP
SILVERSTONE – Haas driver Oliver Bearman has been penalized with ten grid positions and four penalty points following an incident during the final practice session of the British Grand Prix. Bearman lost control of his single-seater while braking to enter the pit lane, even though the session had already been suspended due to Gabriel Bortoleto’s accident in the final minutes. The red flags, which indicate the suspension of the session, require all drivers to reduce speed and slowly return to the pit lane. The stewards observed that Bearman was driving at a speed exceeding the limit at the pit lane entry under a red flag, compared to his previous laps.According to Article 37.6 (a) of the Formula 1 Sporting Regulations and Article 2.5.4.1 (b) of Appendix H of the International Sporting Code, when a red flag is displayed, all cars must immediately reduce speed and slowly return to the pit lane. The stewards concluded that the driver of car number 87 did not return slowly to the pit lane, but accelerated simulating entry under race conditions. In fact, it was found that he was faster on this lap, under a red flag, than on a previous lap under normal conditions. Furthermore, Bearman lost control of the car and crashed into the barriers at high speed. The driver explained that he underestimated that his brakes were not warm due to the slow lap under the red flag. Although this may have contributed to the accident, it was not considered a mitigating factor. Consequently, the penalty was applied in accordance with the guidelines, resulting in a loss of 10 grid positions and 4 penalty points.Car number 87 slowed down due to the red flag and, approaching turn 15, accelerated significantly to reach race pace and entered the pit lane entry at 260 km/h. He lost control of the car in the pit lane entry and crashed into the barriers.
Stewards’ statement
These four points bring Bearman’s total on his super license to eight. If a driver accumulates 12 penalty points within a 12-month period, it results in a one-race suspension.
Bearman finished the last practice session at his home Grand Prix in sixth position.
