Monaco GP: Oliver Bearman Faces Grid Penalty After Red Flag Infraction
Haas F1 driver Oliver Bearman has been handed a 10-place grid penalty for the Monaco Grand Prix following an infringement during Practice 2, where he overtook Carlos Sainz under red flag conditions. This marks the second punitive measure in a week against the rookie, who expressed frustration with the FIA’s decision-making process.
In the previous round at Imola, Bearman’s qualifying lap was disqualified due to a similar stewarding decision after a red flag incident caused by an accident involving Franco Colapinto. Bearman described the penalty as “totally unfair,” citing extenuating circumstances that limited his ability to react.
Incident Details
According to the FIA’s report, Haas informed Bearman “rather late” before the overtaking maneuver occurred. However, video evidence indicated clear red flag signals, with the dashboard displaying the warning prior to the infraction. The stewards concluded that Bearman misjudged the situation, and they rejected his claim that maintaining speed was safer than slowing down.
The penalty is particularly notable, as it marks the first 10-place grid drop issued to a driver in 13 years, the last being to Pastor Maldonado for unsportsmanlike conduct following a collision.
Strategic Implications
While the penalty presents a significant setback, it could allow Haas to adopt an unconventional race strategy during the first mandatory two-stop GP in F1 history. Starting from the back provides Bearman with the opportunity to pursue aggressive tactics, potentially gaining positions through early pit stops and utilizing clean air during the race.
Bearman commented, “Starting from last, we can take the maximum risk to try something. I think we can do something crazy and benefit from that,” expressing a hopeful outlook on making the most of a challenging situation.
As preparations continue for the Monaco Grand Prix, the implications of Bearman’s penalty and Haas’s strategic options will be closely monitored by teams and fans alike.
