Oliver Bearman Nears F1 Race Ban After Monza Collision

Why it matters: Haas rookie Oliver Bearman is on the verge of a Formula 1 race ban after receiving two penalty points for a collision with Carlos Sainz at the Italian Grand Prix, bringing his 12-month total to 10 points. Accumulating 12 points within a rolling 12-month period triggers an automatic one-race suspension, a fate his former teammate Kevin Magnussen faced last season.

The incident: During Sunday's race at Monza, Bearman was running just outside the points, showcasing strong pace that had earned him a top-10 finish a week earlier at Zandvoort. However, a bold defensive maneuver against Carlos Sainz at Monza’s high-speed Variante della Roggia chicane resulted in contact, spinning both cars and ending their hopes of scoring points.

Stewards' verdict: Race stewards reviewed video and in-car footage, determining that Sainz was entitled to the corner. They ruled: “The driver of Car 87 [Bearman] defended his position on the inside instead of giving up the position and caused the collision.” Bearman was deemed predominantly at fault, incurring a 10-second time penalty, which dropped him to 12th place, and two critical penalty points on his superlicence.

A lost opportunity: The penalty not only impacted his race classification but also cost him potential points. The 20-year-old expressed regret, admitting he hadn't fully reviewed the incident but believed points were within reach, especially being right behind Bortoleto and in front of Isack Hadjar.

What's next: With Haas struggling in the Constructors' Championship, Bearman's speed and competitiveness have been a notable highlight, often matching or outperforming his more experienced teammate, Esteban Ocon. He must now drive with extreme caution to avoid accumulating two more penalty points, which would make him only the second F1 driver in recent times to face such a ban.