Breaking: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 requested the FIA to provide greater clarity and transparency following a controversial decision made during qualifying for the Imola Grand Prix. The dispute centers around British driver Ollie Bearman, whose final flying lap in Q1 was deleted after the FIA deemed it was completed under red flag conditions.
Bearman had initially set a lap time that placed him in P10, which would have seen him progress to Q2. However, his effort was invalidated after a crash by Franco Colapinto triggered a red flag. The FIA concluded that Bearman’s lap occurred after the session was stopped. Haas strongly disagrees with this assessment, claiming Bearman had crossed the finish line before the red flag was officially deployed.
The FIA paused the start of Q2 to review the incident but ultimately upheld the decision to delete Bearman’s lap. According to their timing data, Bearman crossed the finish line at 16:32:20.9, while the red flag was issued at 16:32:17.6. However, Haas argues that visual evidence suggests otherwise. Bearman also claimed that from both onboard footage and his own cockpit view, there was no indication—such as a red flag light—at the moment he completed the lap.
Bearman expressed frustration following the ruling, saying that the red light on his steering wheel dashboard, which signals a session stop, did not activate until well after he had finished the lap. He pointed out that even the external footage showed no red flags on display as he crossed the line, leading him to believe the decision was “totally unfair.”
“I feel like once they make a decision, even if it’s wrong — even if it’s clearly wrong — they’re not going to turn back on it. And that seems a bit harsh,” Bearman commented.
In a statement released after the event, Haas confirmed that they had entered discussions with the FIA on Saturday night and later requested written clarification about how the decision regarding Bearman’s lap was reached. The team also asked what procedural measures could be introduced in the future to prevent similar controversies.
“We have subsequently asked for further written clarification on the decision-making concerning Ollie Bearman’s final Q1 lap, in order for us to review more comprehensively,” said the Haas team in their official statement. “We similarly asked what measures the FIA/race control can put in place moving forward to ensure that this situation is avoided in the future to the benefit of F1.”
An FIA spokesperson responded by stating that while the red flag was not physically shown at the start-finish line, orange ‘abort lap’ indicators were active on the gantry, which should have signaled to drivers that the session was stopped. Nevertheless, the incident has raised concerns about the consistency and communication of red flag protocols during qualifying sessions.
The controversy has prompted broader discussions about the need for improved timing systems and clearer signaling during high-pressure qualifying scenar
ios in Formula 1.
