Oliver Bearman, the Haas F1 driver, received four penalty points on his FIA Super License following a red flag infringement at the 2025 British Grand Prix, sparking intense reactions from fans, particularly in connection with the ongoing Max Verstappen penalty points controversy. The incident occurred during the FP3 session at Silverstone, resulting in Bearman also receiving a 10-place grid penalty ahead of his home race.
Details of Bearman’s Penalties and Race Impact
During the qualifying weekend at Silverstone, Bearman impressively secured P8 in Q3, finishing just behind rookie Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli. Despite this strong qualifying performance, the 20-year-old British driver will start the race from P18 due to a significant grid penalty. This penalty was imposed after Bearman crashed his car at the pit lane entry during a red flag period in FP3, an incident attributed to cold brakes and tyres causing him to lose control.
The race stewards held Bearman responsible for not adhering to red flag protocols and causing damage to his car, which led to the 10-place grid drop for the main race. In addition to the grid penalty, Bearman’s Super License tally increased by four points, bringing his total to eight points after just 11 races, dangerously close to the 12-point season maximum that could trigger race bans.
Public Backlash and Comparisons with Max Verstappen
The stewards’ verdict ignited a strong response on social media platforms, with fans expressing surprise and frustration over the severity of the penalties. Many highlighted the contrast with the treatment of Max Verstappen, referencing the “Max Verstappen penalty points controversy” that has divided opinion within the F1 community. Some fans voiced their disbelief at the perceived harshness aimed at Bearman compared to Verstappen’s penalties.
“Verstappen got less after trying to kill George lol”
—Fan on X
“They threw the kitchen sink at him.”
—Fan on X
“Boy the stewards hate this man,” said a fan.
—Fan on X
“Its just half season and he already have 8/12 penalty points, oh god,” wrote a fan.
—Fan on X
“FIA using him as an example to beat the British passport allegations,” claimed a fan.
—Fan on X
“Why can he never just have a normal race weekend, every single time something has to happen,” asked a fan.
—Fan on X
Bearman Reflects on His Mistake at Silverstone
Addressing the penalty at Silverstone, Bearman expressed his disappointment and regret over the error that led to his crash in FP3. Speaking to Sky Sports, the British driver admitted the mistake was caused by failing to account for cold brakes and tyres during a cautious lap under the red flag.
“We were doing a very slow lap under the red flag, and then going into the pit entry with very cold tires and brakes I didn’t really account for that. So yeah just a silly, dumb error, because when I hit the brakes, they were stone cold, and so were the tyres, and I lost it. So silly, and really kicking myself.
—Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 driver
“I’m still angry at myself and very sad, but I’m glad at least that we could show the good thing today was that we have a quick car in qualifying trim, which hasn’t been the case more recently.”
—Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 driver
Season Context and Future Outlook for Bearman
Bearman’s 2025 season has shown promise, with six points gained over 11 races and two Sprint events. However, he has not scored since Bahrain, and recent race results have seen him finish just outside the points, including back-to-back P11 finishes. The driver even sacrificed his race in Austria to support teammate Esteban Ocon’s chances of scoring points.
As Bearman faces mounting pressure from penalty points, the stewards’ strict enforcement at Silverstone raises questions about how his season will unfold, especially with the looming threat of a race ban if he accumulates too many penalty points. The controversy linking his penalties to those of Verstappen underscores the tension between drivers, teams, and the FIA stewards regarding fairness and consistency in race discipline.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What gender is Max Verstappen’s baby?
A. Max Verstappen and Kelly Piquet have shared exciting news about their family. The couple has welcomed their first child together, a baby girl, just before the Miami Grand Prix.
Q. Is Penelope not Max Verstappen’s daughter?
A. His partner, Kelly Piquet, is the daughter of former world champion Nelson Piquet. She has a daughter, Penelope, from a past relationship with ex-Formula 1 driver Daniil Kvyat. Verstappen has built a strong bond with Penelope and recently mentioned this when asked if fatherhood might affect his racing performance.
Q. Does Max Verstappen support LGBT?
A. Max expressed that he respects the LGBTQ+ community, but he feels it has turned into an agenda instead of a movement each June. Eliza Burnett commented that he stated it politely!