Bearman Nears F1 Race Ban as Penalty Points Mount After Abu Dhabi

Oliver Bearman is now two penalty points away from a mandatory one-race suspension after receiving a five-second time penalty for defensive driving against Aston Martin's Lance Stroll in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The ruling, which dropped him from 10th to 14th place, brings his 12-month super licence tally to 10 points—the same threshold that sidelined Kevin Magnussen earlier this year and handed Bearman his F1 debut.

Why it matters:

This puts Bearman in precarious territory just as he seeks a full-time 2025 seat with Haas. With points expiring slowly—his earliest infractions won't clear until May's Canadian Grand Prix—even minor future incidents could trigger a ban during critical early-season races. The situation also reignites debate about F1's penalty point system, which has now directly altered two drivers' careers within a single season.

The Details:

• The Incident: Stewards penalized Bearman for "more than one change of direction" while defending against Stroll on Lap 15, violating Article 27.6 of F1's sporting regulations prohibiting weaving to block.
• Point Accumulation: His 10 points include three separate penalties this season: a 10-second stop/go for causing a collision with Nico Hülkenberg in Austria, a five-second penalty for track limits abuse in Belgium, and now the Abu Dhabi defensive driving call.
• Driver Reaction: Bearman voiced frustration post-race: "I didn't know I wasn't allowed to break the tow anymore. I moved to break the tow—which is one separate thing—and then defended my position. I left Lance space. Some rulings need clearer explanation."
• System Mechanics: Drivers receive an automatic ban when accumulating 12 points within any 12-month period. Points expire on a rolling basis, but Bearman's earliest penalties won't drop off until mid-Canadian GP weekend in May 2025.

What's next:

Bearman must navigate the first five races of 2025 without further penalties to avoid suspension, as his earliest expiring points won't clear until Montreal. With Haas evaluating him for a full 2025 seat, any ban would force the team to field a replacement during crucial development phases—a scenario Bearman previously benefited from when Magnussen's ban opened his F1 opportunity. The stewards' increasingly strict interpretation of defensive maneuvers may require rookies like Bearman to adjust their racing style, particularly in midfield battles where track position is fiercely contested.