Oliver Bearman Under FIA Investigation After Monaco GP Drama

Oliver Bearman is under investigation by the FIA after an incident before the start of the Monaco Grand Prix. The Haas F1 driver was noted by race officials for being released from the pit lane for reconnaissance laps in an “unsafe condition.”

Early reports suggest that leaf blowers might have been left in the sidepods as he left the garage, which can be a problem if equipment remains attached to the car. In most cases like this, stewards impose a fine on the team rather than issuing a penalty to the driver. For more details on FIA regulations regarding pit lane safety, you can refer to the official FIA sporting regulations.

Bearman’s appearance in front of the stewards comes as he is already set to start the Monaco Grand Prix from the 20th and final position. This last-place start is due to a 10-place grid penalty given for overtaking Carlos Sainz under red flag conditions during Free Practice 2.

The move took place on the approach to Rascasse on Friday, when Bearman judged it safer to pass a slow-moving Williams ahead of him than slam on the brakes. According to race documents, similar red-flag infringements occurred in the same session and in Free Practice 3.

Sainz and Franco Colapinto both went past other cars but did so after sharply decelerating under red flags. Stewards reviewed data and onboard videos before deciding not to penalize those two. For a deeper understanding of red flag rules in Formula 1, the FIA’s official race director notes provide comprehensive guidance.

Bearman’s case attracted a significant penalty due to the way he completed the overtake under the red flag sequence. With his penalty confirmed, Bearman and the Haas team must focus on race strategy to recover positions around Monaco’s tight street circuit, where overtaking is always a challenge.

Teams often see a low grid slot as a chance to try aggressive or unconventional pit stop tactics, especially since the likelihood of safety cars and race interruptions around Monte Carlo is higher than at most other tracks. Despite the difficulty of passing on the narrow circuit, previous races have shown that strong pit work or well-timed stops can provide an advantage. For historical insights on Monaco GP strategies, Motorsport Magazine’s archives offer valuable analysis.

Stewards are expected to issue their findings on Bearman’s pit lane incident shortly after the race. For now, the Haas squad will be watching closely to see if a fine is handed down or if more serious consequences follow.

Bearman’s recent run of form has been closely watched, as the young Brit signed with Haas for the 2025 season as a teammate to Esteban Ocon and is considered a promising talent in Formula 1. As Formula 1 heads into one of its most iconic events, teams and fans alike are following stories like Bearman’s closely.

The Monaco GP weekend continues to deliver high drama both on and off the track, with penalties, investigations, and unpredictable qualifying outcomes shaping the grid each year. Standings ahead of this race have McLaren drivers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris leading with 146 and 133 points, while perennial contenders Max Verstappen and George Russell are close behind. For the latest standings and race statistics, the official Formula 1 website is a reliable resource.

While Bearman’s Sunday now involves both a challenging starting position and a stewards’ investigation, the Monaco Grand Prix rarely unfolds without surprises. Attention will turn to the track to see how much progress the Haas team can make in these difficult circumstances, as the Monaco GP weekend continues to deliver high drama.

The anticipation around Monaco remains high, with strategy and split-second decisions set to play a major role in the final result.

John Martinez

John Martinez delivers real-time NASCAR Cup Series and Truck Series news, from live race updates to pit-lane strategy analysis. A graduate of the University of Northwestern Ohio’s Motorsports Technology program, he breaks down rule changes, driver tactics, and championship points with crystal-clear reporting.