Bearman and Lawson Face Double Penalty, Near F1 Race Ban After Brazilian GP Collision

Oliver Bearman and Liam Lawson are now closer to a one-race ban after a collision during Saturday's sprint race at the Brazilian Grand Prix. The incident at Turn 4 on the opening lap saw Bearman's Haas spin, with both drivers assigning blame to the other for the contact.

Why it matters:

• The escalating penalty points for both Bearman and Lawson highlight the intense pressure and tight margins in Formula 1 racing, even during sprint events.
• A one-race ban could significantly impact their careers and their teams' performance, especially for young drivers aiming to establish themselves in the sport.
• This incident also brings attention to the FIA's superlicence penalty point system, showing its effectiveness in regulating driver conduct.

The Details:

• The collision occurred at Turn 4 during the opening lap of the Interlagos sprint race, shortly after Bearman appeared to squeeze Lawson onto the grass.
• Lawson expressed frustration over team radio, stating, "Mate, this kid pushes me in the grass and then turns in. I don’t know where I’m meant to go."
• Bearman, in turn, remarked, "It’s typical Lawson."
• Both drivers received a five-second penalty: Bearman for potentially dangerous driving between Turns 3 and 4, and Lawson for causing a collision at Turn 4.
• Bearman's penalty didn't alter his 12th-place finish, while Lawson dropped from 13th to 16th.
• In addition to time penalties, both drivers were assessed one penalty point on their FIA superlicences.
  • Drivers incur a one-race ban if they accumulate 12 penalty points within a 12-month period. Kevin Magnussen was the first to receive such a ban last year.
• Bearman's Current Standing: This latest point brings Bearman's total to nine, just three points away from a ban.
  • He had two points removed recently from his record due to the 12-month expiry period.
  • His other points stem from a four-point penalty at the British Grand Prix for crashing under red flag conditions and two points each at Monaco and the Italian Grand Prix for other collision-related incidents.
• Lawson's Current Standing: Lawson now has seven penalty points, placing him level with Lance Stroll on the disciplinary chart.
  • His previous penalties include points from collisions at last year's Qatar Grand Prix, and this year's Bahrain and Miami Grands Prix.

What's next:

Both drivers are set to share the fourth row of the grid in Sunday's main race at Interlagos, starting seventh and eighth, respectively. With their penalty point tallies dangerously close to the 12-point limit, future incidents could lead to a race ban for either driver, adding another layer of tension to their rivalry and their fight for F1 positions.