Breaking: FIA announce late PENALTY verdict  following disqualification on… read more 

FIA announce late PENALTY verdict  following disqualification on… read more 

The FIA has handed a €5,000 fine to the Haas Formula 1 team following a safety oversight involving Ollie Bearman during the reconnaissance lap ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix. The penalty was issued after Bearman was mistakenly released from the garage with a cooling fan still attached to his car, creating a potentially hazardous situation in the pit lane.

The incident unfolded just before the start of the race, when Bearman left the Haas garage to complete his reconnaissance lap. In an unfortunate lapse, the team failed to remove the cooling fan from Car 87, resulting in a frantic moment as a member of the pit crew had to chase after the car and enter the fast lane to detach the device. While the situation was quickly handled and no harm occurred, the FIA deemed the action a breach of pit lane protocol that could have jeopardized the safety of Bearman and others in the vicinity.

In their statement, the FIA emphasized the importance of adhering to safety procedures, particularly in the high-risk environment of a street circuit like Monaco. They acknowledged that the congestion of cars in the pit lane helped reduce the danger at the time, but still criticized Haas for releasing the vehicle in an unsafe condition. “The team left a cooling fan attached to Car 87 when they released the car for the reconnaissance lap,” the FIA reported. “A member of the pit crew had to run after the car and enter the fast lane to detach the fan before the car was able to proceed further.”

Due to the nature of the incident occurring during a reconnaissance lap and not during the race itself, the FIA treated it similarly to an infraction during a free practice session. The €5,000 fine was levied as a result of this procedural violation.

Ollie Bearman, who started the race from the back of the grid, managed an impressive recovery drive, climbing up to finish 12th. Although he ended the race two laps behind eventual winner Lando Norris, Bearman’s performance drew attention, especially considering the challenging nature of the Monaco circuit, where overtaking is notoriously difficult. Only five drivers managed to finish on the lead lap, underlining the demanding conditions faced by the field.

Ultimately, while the blunder did not result in any injuries or race-impacting consequences, the FIA’s decision to penalize Haas highlights their continued focus on maintaining strict safety standards in all phases of Grand Prix events.