Bearman Slams 'Excessive' Penalty After Gasly Clash at US GP

Oliver Bearman has expressed disbelief over a 10-second penalty handed down by stewards after a Lap 2 collision with Pierre Gasly at the United States Grand Prix. What began as an aggressive overtaking maneuver at Turn 13 ended in a costly retirement for the Haas driver and significant aerodynamic loss for Gasly.

Why it matters:

The incident highlights ongoing tensions regarding stewarding consistency in 2026. Bearman argues that similar incidents this season have received lighter or no penalties, suggesting a lack of a standardized approach to racing incidents. Moreover, with Haas locked in a tight battle against Audi in the constructors' standings, every point—and every retirement—carries heavy weight for the team's championship trajectory.

The Details:

• The Clash: Bearman attempted a dive down the inside of Gasly at Turn 13; despite taking the kerb to avoid contact, his front-left wheel struck Gasly’s sidepod.
• Mechanical Fallout: Both cars suffered floor damage. For Bearman, this triggered a progressive vibration that steadily deteriorated the car's performance over several laps.
• The Retirement: After losing nearly eight-tenths of a second in a single lap due to catastrophic floor failure, Bearman stepped aside for teammate Esteban Ocon and retired on Lap 24 to conserve engine mileage.
• Gasly's Loss: The Alpine driver finished 10th, estimating a loss of roughly 10 downforce points, which hindered his ability to challenge Liam Lawson for a higher position.

Between the Lines:

Bearman’s frustration extends beyond the time penalty to the psychological toll of driving an unpredictable car. However, his decision to let Ocon pass early demonstrates a growing maturity and a "team-first" mentality, prioritizing the constructors' fight over Audi over his own individual result, despite feeling marginalized by the officials.

What's next:

As the 2026 season enters its final stretch, Haas must maximize reliability to maintain their edge over Audi. Bearman will need to calibrate his aggression to align with the current stewards' interpretation of "earned space" to avoid further penalties that could jeopardize the team's standing.