Bearman Penalized for Red Flag Violation in Monaco

Haas Formula One rookie Oliver Bearman has been given a 10-place grid penalty and two penalty points for overtaking Carlos Sainz under red flag conditions during Friday's practice session at the Monaco Grand Prix. The penalty was triggered after Bearman overtook following red flags caused by Oscar Piastri's crash, despite clear visual signals both on track and on his dashboard. Although Bearman claimed that abrupt slowing could have posed a danger, stewards rejected this argument, stating that immediate compliance with red flag rules is essential for safety on Monaco's narrow circuit. The team was found to have informed Bearman of the red flag later than ideal, but this was not considered a mitigating factor due to the clear visibility of warnings. As a result, Bearman is likely to start near the back of the grid, significantly reducing his prospects on a track where overtaking is difficult. The decision underscores Formula One's strict enforcement of safety regulations.