Oliver Bearman Faces 10-Place Grid Penalty at Monaco GP
Monaco, May 2023 – Haas F1 Team driver Oliver Bearman has been handed a 10-place grid penalty for the Monaco Grand Prix following an overtaking infringement under red flag conditions during Friday’s practice session. This marks a continuation of stewards’ scrutiny for the rookie, who previously expressed frustration over a similar ruling in Imola.
In the latest incident, Bearman overtook Carlos Sainz moments after red flags were waved due to an accident involving Franco Colapinto. Although Haas claimed the communication regarding the red flag was delayed, video evidence indicated that Bearman had adequate warning.
"The dashboard also indicated the red flag well before the overtake took place," stated the FIA report, effectively dismissing Bearman’s claims of being unaware. This is the first 10-place penalty in Formula 1 in over a decade, mirroring the harsh punishment imposed on Pastor Maldonado in 2010 for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Bearman noted, "I feel like it was a harsh penalty… there were some mitigating circumstances—namely the huge delta speed and the lack of time I had to react. But c’est la vie."
Compounding his frustration, Sainz faced no reprimand for his own earlier red flag infringement, leading Bearman to question the consistency of stewarding decisions.
Despite the setback, the grid drop opens strategic opportunities for Haas, which could leverage the 2023 Monaco GP’s requirement for a mandatory two-stop race to implement an aggressive strategy. Bearman commented on the potential for a “crazy” race, expressing optimism for maximizing the team’s performance from the back of the grid.
With renewed focus and a chance to adopt unconventional tactics, Bearman looks to turn misfortune into opportunity when the race gets underway on Sunday.
