Haas' Oliver Bearman Gets 10-Place Grid Penalty, Four Points for British GP Red Flag Crash

Haas rookie Oliver Bearman received a 10-place grid penalty and four penalty points for crashing into the barriers while entering the pit lane under a red flag during the final practice session at the British Grand Prix in Silverstone. The stewards found that Bearman accelerated to race pace at 260kph instead of slowing down and proceeding slowly back to the pit lane as required by Formula One regulations, leading to his loss of control and crash. This incident brought Bearman's total penalty points on his superlicence to eight, with twelve points resulting in an automatic race ban. Bearman had also caused an earlier red flag in the session when a piece of his car detached on track. Despite Bearman's explanation that cold brakes contributed to the crash, the stewards did not accept it as a mitigating factor. This penalty marks Bearman's second 10-place grid drop this season and is notable as he is competing in his first home Grand Prix as a full-time Formula 1 driver.