Bearman Nears Race Ban After Monza Penalties

Ollie Bearman has accumulated 10 super licence penalty points in the past 12 months, placing him just two points shy of an automatic one-race ban. The Haas driver received two additional points for a collision with Carlos Sainz at the Italian Grand Prix.

Why it matters

A race ban for Bearman would significantly impact his team and potentially his career trajectory, especially as he is a rising talent in Formula 1. This situation highlights the stringent penalty system designed to ensure driver safety and fair play on track.

The details

• Monza Incident: During Lap 41 of the Italian Grand Prix, Bearman was found at fault for a collision with Carlos Sainz at the second chicane. Sainz's front axle was already ahead when Bearman failed to yield, resulting in a 10-second race penalty and two super licence points.
• Previous Infractions: Bearman's accumulated points stem from several incidents:
  • 2 points: Collision with Franco Colapinto at the 2024 Brazilian Grand Prix.
  • 2 points: Overtaking Carlos Sainz under a red flag during FP2 at the 2025 Monaco Grand Prix.
  • 4 points: Red-flag crash in pit lane entry during FP3 at the 2025 British Grand Prix.
• Upcoming Challenge: The 20-year-old faces a critical period over the next four events, as none of his existing penalty points are set to expire until November 2.
• Other Penalties: Esteban Ocon received one point for forcing Lance Stroll off track at Turn 4, and Kimi Antonelli earned one for "driving erratically" against Alex Albon.

What's next

Bearman must navigate the upcoming races without further incidents to avoid reaching the 12-point threshold, a scenario Max Verstappen narrowly avoided earlier this year. His performance will be under close scrutiny as he aims to secure his future in F1 without a suspension.