Oliver Bearman criticizes 10-second penalty at US Grand Prix

Haas driver Oliver Bearman has described a 10-second penalty received during the United States Grand Prix as “absurd and excessive.” The penalty followed a collision with Alpine’s Pierre Gasly during a restart under the Virtual Safety Car.

Bearman attempted an overtake on the inside of Turn 13 after gaining speed approaching the Turn 12 braking zone. While attempting to avoid contact by mounting the kerb, Bearman’s front-left tire clipped the right side of Gasly’s car. The incident resulted in catastrophic damage to Bearman’s vehicle, forcing his retirement from the race, while Gasly finished in tenth place to score a point.

Bearman contested the stewards' decision, arguing the contact was a racing incident. He noted that he felt he had sufficient room to justify the maneuver and expressed frustration that the penalty was more severe than similar incidents earlier in the season that received no penalty or only a five-second sanction.