FIA Issues Second Penalty After sp...

FIA Issues Second Penalty After sp… read more

The Spanish Grand Prix concluded in dramatic fashion, with the FIA announcing not one but two significant post-race penalties that altered the official standings. While Max Verstappen initially crossed the finish line in fifth place, he was slapped with a 10-second time penalty shortly after the race ended. The punishment came after an incident involving Mercedes driver George Russell, where Verstappen was deemed responsible for causing a collision. The penalty demoted the Red Bull driver down to 10th place, significantly affecting his championship points haul for the weekend.

However, Verstappen wasn’t the only driver to face the stewards’ scrutiny. A second penalty was issued later in the evening, further delaying the final race classification from the FIA. This time, it was Haas rookie Oliver Bearman who came under fire for an incident involving Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson. Bearman received a 10-second time penalty for leaving the track and gaining a lasting advantage during a wheel-to-wheel battle with Lawson.

The FIA’s official statement described the situation in detail. It explained that during the overtaking attempt at Turn 1, Lawson had positioned his car well alongside Bearman’s, specifically ahead of Bearman’s mirror at the corner apex. Despite this, Bearman left the track and took the escape road, rejoining the circuit ahead of Lawson at Turn 3. Crucially, Bearman did not yield the position after his off-track excursion. Although Lawson managed to reclaim the place on the following lap, the stewards deemed that Bearman had still gained an advantage by not returning the position immediately.

As a result, Bearman was penalised with a 10-second time addition. Given that he finished 17th — the last of the classified runners at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya — the penalty did not significantly affect his final standing. Nonetheless, it capped off a disappointing weekend for the Haas team. Both Bearman and his teammate Esteban Ocon endured a lacklustre performance, having qualified 15th and 17th respectively and finishing the race in 16th and 17th positions.

The incident underlined the FIA’s strict approach to track limits and racing conduct, particularly when it comes to gaining advantages off-track. Though Bearman’s infraction had little impact on the final race order, it serves as a reminder of the importance of fair racing practices and immediate position restitution after gaining ground illegally. With tensions high and the championship race heating up, such decisions are likely to remain under close scrutiny throughout the season.