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Oliver Bearman expressed deep frustration after receiving a 10-second penalty for a collision with Pierre Gasly during the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix. The Haas driver described the punishment as excessive and argued that the contact was merely a racing incident.
The Clash and Penalty in Austin
Bearman gained two positions on the opening lap at the Circuit of the Americas and subsequently targeted 10th-placed Gasly on the following tour down the inside of Turn 13. As the gap began to close, the British driver placed two wheels onto the yellow inside kerb, but his front-left wheel still clipped the sidepod of the Alpine car. Although the contact was minor, it resulted in significant damage to both machines, prompting the FIA stewards to hand Bearman a 10-second penalty.
Speaking to Motorsport.com, Bearman admitted he was surprised by the severity of the sanction. He stated that he felt hard done by given that similar incidents throughout the season either went unpenalized or received only five-second penalties.
“I felt like I had enough of my car alongside to justify, or to kind of feel like I earned a bit of space, and didn’t really get that space. I was given maybe half a car width. I was climbing up onto the kerb trying to avoid contact, but I simply couldn’t. I couldn’t disappear once I decided to go for the move. I didn’t lock up, I didn’t lose any control, it was just simply I couldn’t disappear at that stage. Ten seconds is crazy, given all of those facts,” Bearman said.
Car Damage and Eventual Retirement
While the penalty proved costly, Bearman noted that the physical damage to his car was the more damaging factor. The light touch loosened his floorboard, which gradually vibrated off over the subsequent laps and caused the vehicle’s performance to deteriorate rapidly.
The damage forced Bearman to wave teammate Esteban Ocon through on lap 11. He explained that after a brief period where the car felt competitive, a piece fell off and he suddenly lost about eight tenths of a second in sector one alone. Not wanting to hold up his teammate in their collective fight against Audi, he stepped aside immediately.
Bearman ultimately retired from the race on lap 24 due to the worsening condition of the car. He explained that the vehicle became dangerous and highly unpredictable, making retirement the sensible choice to preserve engine mileage and other vital components.
Gasly’s Race Impact
On the other side of the garage, Gasly managed to hold onto 10th position at the chequered flag, finishing eight seconds behind Liam Lawson. However, the French driver told Motorsport.com that the early contact with Bearman severely hindered his afternoon and stopped him from mounting a challenge against the Racing Bulls.
Gasly reported that the small touch tore a large chunk out of the front and mid sections of the right side of his floor, costing him close to 10 downforce points. Despite the handicap, he was pleased to salvage a point in 10th place while wondering what might have been possible against Lawson without the damage.
