At the conclusion of the third practice session (FP3) during the British Grand Prix weekend at Silverstone, Max Verstappen was caught laughing after witnessing Ollie Bearman’s startling crash at the pit lane entrance. The British driver lost control of his Haas VF-25 as he aggressively entered the pit lane following a red flag, causing him to collide head-on with the right-hand side barriers.
The incident happened just as all drivers were heading back to the pits after Gabriel Bortoleto’s crash caused the red flag with under a minute left in the session. Verstappen, trailing Bearman closely, found the situation so unexpected that he was heard exclaiming,
“Oh my god someone just crashed in the pit entrance. What?,”
while laughing aloud.
Potential Consequences for Bearman’s Aggressive Pit Entry
The crash appeared to be triggered by cold brakes on Bearman’s car combined with his bold approach to the pit lane at the red flag signal. Since all competitors are required to slow down when red flags are displayed, the stewards may now investigate Bearman’s conduct closely.
Red flag infringements during practice sessions are treated with significant severity, often resulting in grid penalties. Recently, Yuki Tsunoda was handed a 10-place grid drop for a red flag violation at the Canadian Grand Prix practice. Bearman is expected to face similar penalties, which could impact his starting position at the race.
This setback is particularly unfortunate for Haas, who showed encouraging pace in FP3, with Bearman finishing fifth and teammate Esteban Ocon placing 13th in the session.
Verstappen’s Return to Competitive Form in FP3
Max Verstappen’s Silverstone weekend began poorly due to struggles in FP1 and FP2; however, his performance improved markedly in FP3. Driving the Red Bull RB21, Verstappen demonstrated far better control and speed, notably recording top times in sector one on multiple timed laps.
He finished the session in third place, just 0.087 seconds off the fastest lap set by Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc. The session’s top four drivers were all closely matched, separated by only a tenth of a second, signaling a tight battle for pole position.
Lewis Hamilton, who might have challenged the leaders, was unable to complete his final flying lap because of the red flag caused by Bortoleto’s accident. McLaren, Ferrari, and Red Bull now appear tightly locked in a highly competitive qualifying fight, which could be further complicated by rain forecast during Saturday’s session.
Implications for the British Grand Prix Qualifying and Race
Ollie Bearman’s pit lane crash and its potential disciplinary consequences add a layer of tension going into qualifying, where every position matters. Verstappen’s recovery from earlier difficulties suggests he remains a strong contender, but the unpredictable weather and close competition point to an uncertain outcome at Silverstone.
With stewards likely to review Bearman’s red flag infraction and possible grid penalties looming, Haas will need to manage the situation carefully if they want to maintain momentum. Meanwhile, Verstappen’s improved pace and light-hearted reaction to the pit lane chaos highlight the dramatic and high-pressure atmosphere surrounding the British Grand Prix weekend.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What gender is Max Verstappen’s baby?
A. Race car driver Max Verstappen and his partner Kelly Piquet shared news about their new baby. They welcomed their first daughter shortly before the Miami Grand Prix.