Oliver Bearman Suffers Grid Penalty After Strong Qualifying at British Grand Prix
Silverstone, UK — Oliver Bearman faced a significant setback in his British Grand Prix campaign, incurring a 10-place grid penalty after a red-flag infringement during the qualifying session. The Haas F1 driver placed eighth in a commendable performance, reflecting the team’s successful upgrades. However, an error during the final moments of practice hindered his starting position.
Bearman, one of four British drivers on the grid, lost control of his Haas while entering the pit lane at high speed, resulting in a collision with the wall. This incident occurred following Gabriel Bortoleto’s crash, which had triggered the red flag. The resulting damage denied Bearman the chance to capitalize on his promising qualifying time.
“This is my second penalty this year for similar reasons; I need to learn from this,” said Bearman, reflecting on the momentum lost. He explained that cold brakes and tires led to the misjudgment during the red flag period, stating, “I didn’t account for the cold brakes and tires – it’s a misjudgment from my side.”
The incident also cost him four penalty points, bringing his total to eight for the season. Despite the frustration, Bearman recognized the improved performance of the car, saying, “We have a very quick car in qualifying trim, which hasn’t been the case more recently. I’m proud of the team for a successful upgrade.”
In the FIA’s stewards’ report, it was noted that Bearman violated specific sporting regulations requiring competitors to drive slowly under a red flag. He expressed regret over the mistake and acknowledged the need to take responsibility, adding, “It sucks quite honestly, it’s horrible, but I can only blame myself for that.”
Looking ahead, Bearman remains hopeful for the race, emphasizing his intent to make the most of the situation, despite starting from the back: “It was great to be in Q3 on merit, and I’ll see what I can do tomorrow.”
