DRIVER SPOTLIGHT: Oliver Bearman set to change his approach to avoid a race ban

After Monza, Haas rookie Oliver Bearman found himself in a precarious position. A collision with Carlos Sainz at the Roggia chicane not only earned him a time penalty, but more critically, two penalty points — pushing him up to 10 points over the past 12 months. With 12 points triggering an automatic one-race ban, Bearman is now distinctly on a tightrope. He’s admitted as much in his comments from Baku, signalling a considerably more cautious mindset going forward.

What Happened at Monza: The Incident & The Penalties

At the 2025 Italian Grand Prix in Monza:

• On lap 41, Bearman and Sainz were battling through the Roggia chicane. Sainz attempted a move around the outside; Bearman defended on the inside. The stewards ruled that Bearman did not leave enough room, causing contact and a spin for both cars.

• Hare penalties followed: Bearman was given a 10-second time penalty, and two penalty points for that incident. Additionally, although he was competing reasonably well, the penalty meant he dropped down to 12th place — out of the points.

Cumulatively, these two points added to others he had picked up earlier in the season (for red-flag infringements in practice, etc.), bring his total to 10 penalty points. With just two more points before he hits 12, he’ll face a mandatory race ban.

Bearman’s Reflections: Changing Mindset & What He Intends to Do Differently

Speaking in Baku after Monza, Bearman didn’t make excuses — he accepted responsibility, even if he expressed frustration with how the racing rules are interpreted. He said:

“It’s my fault for getting the penalty regardless of if we agree with the rules or not. But it’s a tough one to take.”

He added that although from his perspective he was simply defending what he saw as his corner, he understands that the rules leave less room for “split-second” judgement calls than perhaps drivers would prefer. 

Given the stakes, Bearman has said he’ll need to tighten up his decision-making. Key parts of his new approach:

• He implied he’ll avoid risky inside-defensive moves where he believes he might not have “space” — even if he thinks he’s entitled to it under racing instinct. 

• He said that if he’s unsure, he might choose to attempt an overtake rather than “defend on the inside” when the room’s marginal. That’s a big shift: from defending aggressively to favouring cleaner lines and safer decisions. 

Bearman also recognized that grey-areas in the rules (when you’re allowed “room,” what is sufficient space, etc.) make it tough. But with a race ban looming, he seems more willing to adapt than argue. 

What the Penalty-Points Breakdown Looks Like

Understanding how Bearman reached 10 points is useful because it shows both the nature of his infractions and the window he has left:

Since the rules state that any points older than 12 months expire, Bearman will see some of his earlier points fall off in the coming rounds (first major expiry after the Mexican GP in November). But until then, he has to be faultless. Two more points in that window would trigger a race ban.

What This Means Going Forward: The Stakes & Predictions

Given Bearman’s situation, several things are likely:

• More conservative racing style: Expect Bearman to give up inside defence early rather than risk collision. He’ll likely choose cleaner overtakes, exercise more caution in close-quarter battling.

• Defensive strategy revision: He may prefer to yield positions in marginal circumstances rather than risk points-earning incidents. That could slightly affect his aggression, but might preserve his super licence.

• Mental focus & situational awareness: Track features like chicanes and slow tight corners (like Roggia) will be under special scrutiny. Bearman will need to judge whether he should commit or back off earlier.

• High pressure upcoming rounds: With four races before many points begin to drop off, every race becomes crucial. One more penalty-worthy incident in Baku, Singapore, USA, or Mexico could force him to miss a Grand Prix.

Final Thoughts

Oliver Bearman’s penultimate 10-point total is not just a statistic — it’s a turning point. His Monza incident showed that even in “fair defence,” the rules expect a certain margin of safety, and stewards are ready to penalize close calls. Bearman’s decision to adjust his approach signals maturity — a recognition that sheer aggression, while exciting, has consequences.

With his talent clear, the next few races will test not just his speed, but his judgement. He must navigate between being competitive and being clean — because at 10 points, one more slip and he’ll be watching from the sidelines. For Bearman and Haas, the balance between risk and reward has never been more delicate.