Just in: F1 star demand FIA investigation after Imola GP cont…read more

F1 star demand FIA investigation after Imola GP cont…read more 

The Haas Formula 1 team has formally called on the FIA to provide more transparency and clarity following a controversial decision made during qualifying at the 2024 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in Imola. The disagreement centers around British driver Ollie Bearman and the deletion of his final flying lap in Q1, which Haas believes was unfairly disqualified.

Bearman had delivered a strong performance during the first qualifying session, recording a lap time that would have secured him a place in Q2, ranking him 10th overall. However, shortly after Argentine driver Franco Colapinto suffered a crash that brought out the red flag, Bearman’s lap was annulled by race stewards. According to the FIA, his lap was completed after the session was officially suspended due to the incident.

The decision immediately sparked discontent within the Haas camp. Team representatives argue that Bearman had already completed his lap before the red flag came into effect. They insist that the young Briton crossed the finish line seconds before the session was halted, making his lap fully legitimate and within the rules. As a result of the deletion, Bearman was pushed out of the top 15, losing his chance to advance to the second phase of qualifying.

The core of Haas’s frustration lies in what they see as a lack of clarity in how the FIA determined the timing of the red flag and Bearman’s lap. They have officially requested an explanation and more transparency from the governing body, aiming to understand exactly how the FIA concluded that Bearman was in violation of red flag regulations. The team maintains that timing data and video footage support their view and that the stewards’ decision has cost them a fair opportunity in qualifying.

This incident has reignited long-standing concerns about consistency and communication in the enforcement of rules within Formula 1. Teams and drivers have repeatedly called for clearer guidelines and more reliable procedures, especially when it comes to time-sensitive situations like red flags, track limits, and yellow flags during qualifying.

As the controversy continues, many in the F1 community await a detailed response from the FIA. The outcome of this dispute could set a significant precedent for how similar incidents are handled in the future. In the meantime, Haas and Bearman have been left feeling frustrated, believing that their efforts on the track were undone by an avoidable and potentially incorrect judgment.