Ollie Bearman is within two points of the ban on one automatic race after colliding with Carlos Sainz during the Italian Grand Prix.
The Haasrokey was trying to defend him from Sainz to Logia Chicane – turning 4 and 5 and retaining the inner line as Williams advanced in front of the brake zone. Once Sainz submitted, Bearman tried to keep it with the Spaniard, but was unable to hold a tight enough line inside the corner, making contact with both cars spinning.
The Bearman was given a 10-second penalty and two penalty points in the race, bringing up to 10 total for 12 months. His first penalty point will not expire until after the Mexico City Grand Prix. That is, he currently has four races in Baku, Singapore, Austin and Mexico City.
“Car No. 55 (Sainz) has acquired racing line rights because it attempted to overtake the car’s 87 (Bearman) outside to turn 4 and had the front axle of the Apex car’s front axle,” Steward’s decision read.
“The driver of the car’s No. 87 defended its position inside instead of abandoning its position, causing the collision. The steward determined that the driver of the car No. 87 was primarily negligent and therefore the standard penalty for such an incident would apply.”
If Bearman wins a penalty, Haas currently has Ryo Island as a spare driver, but potentially could also call Ferrari reserve options Zhou Guanyu and Antonio Giovinazi.
The penalty means that Bareman is the closest driver to the current grid race ban, and Max Verstappen is even more behind in the next four races.
