Monaco GP: Oliver Bearman penalized with 10-place grid drop for red flag breach
Haas Driver Oliver Bearman Hit with 10-Place Grid Penalty for Red Flag Violation
MONACO – Haas driver Oliver Bearman has been slapped with a 10-place grid penalty ahead of Sunday's Monaco Grand Prix following a red flag infringement in Friday’s second practice session.
The penalty stems from an incident where Bearman overtook Carlos Sainz's Williams under red flag conditions. Per Formula 1 regulations, drivers must reduce speed and return to the pits immediately when a red flag is deployed. Haas argued that Bearman had not been informed of the red flag promptly, but the stewards disagreed, pointing to clear visual indications on both trackside panels and Bearman’s dashboard.
In their statement, the stewards explained:
“While it is true that Haas informed the driver late, video footage clearly shows a light panel directly in front of him displaying the red flag, and his dashboard was already indicating the same. These warnings were present well before the overtake occurred.”
Bearman's Defense and Stewards’ Response
While addressing the stewards, Bearman, a British rookie, claimed that abruptly slowing down upon seeing the lights could have created a safety hazard, especially on a tight and unforgiving circuit like Monaco. However, the stewards countered this argument, emphasizing the paramount importance of adhering to red flag protocols.
The stewards noted:
“We disagreed with his decision to not take steps to sufficiently slow down to avoid overtaking another car. Instead, he proceeded slowly back to the pits as required. The purpose of enforcing immediate deceleration under red flags is safety – drivers cannot predict what lies ahead or the reason for the flag. This is particularly crucial on a circuit like Monaco, where visibility and track conditions can change in an instant.”
Additional Penalties for Bearman
In addition to the 10-place grid drop, Bearman was handed two penalty points on his super licence. Notably, this is Bearman’s second consecutive incident involving red flag procedures. During the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola, he was controversially eliminated from Q1 when his lap was deleted after he crossed the line moments after a red flag was thrown for Franco Colapinto’s crash. Haas contested the timing of the red flag signal at Imola, claiming it did not appear on circuit displays in time, but no change was made to the stewards’ original decision.
Haas remains vocal about the Imola decision and is awaiting a formal review, though team principal Guenther Steiner has yet to comment on the Monaco penalty’s implications.
Lance Stroll Receives Separate Penalty
In a separate incident at Monaco, Aston Martin's Lance Stroll will also face a grid sanction after being deemed at fault during a first-practice collision with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc. Stroll received a one-place grid penalty after making contact with Leclerc at the tight hairpin.
Challenges Ahead for Haas
As the weekend unfolds, Bearman and Haas will need to find a way to recover in Sunday’s race, with Monaco’s twisty and narrow layout notoriously difficult for overtaking. Bearman’s grid penalty and mounting scrutiny over successive infringements add pressure to what was already set to be a challenging weekend for the American outfit.
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