Ollie Bearman Admits Fear of Race Ban After Harsh US Grand Prix Penalty
British Formula 1 rookie Ollie Bearman has admitted that he feared being handed a race ban after receiving a penalty during the United States Grand Prix weekend. The 20-year-old Haas driver was hit with a 10-second time penalty by FIA stewards for gaining an advantage by leaving the track during Saturday’s sprint race at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin.
The incident occurred when Bearman was defending his position against fellow rookie Kimi Antonelli. As the Mercedes driver attempted an overtake on the inside line heading into Turn 12, Bearman ran wide off the track and rejoined ahead of Antonelli, maintaining his position. After reviewing the footage, the stewards concluded that Antonelli’s move was legitimate and that he was entitled to the racing line. They noted that the front axle of the Mercedes was already ahead of Bearman’s mirror both before and at the apex of the corner, which gave Antonelli the right to hold his position through the turn.
The FIA further determined that Antonelli had not forced Bearman off the circuit intentionally, and that the Haas driver had gained a “lasting advantage” by rejoining the track ahead of his rival. As a result, Bearman was handed a 10-second time penalty, a ruling he later described as “harsh.”
However, what truly alarmed Bearman was the potential impact of the penalty on his racing licence. The young Brit currently sits on 10 penalty points — just two short of the 12-point threshold that would trigger an automatic race ban. Given that F1 drivers accumulate penalty points for on-track infractions, reaching 12 within a 12-month period results in a one-race suspension.
Bearman’s penalty points have been accumulated across four different race weekends in his short Formula 1 career so far. Two of those points are set to expire on November 3, a full year after they were earned at the 2024 Brazilian Grand Prix. Until then, the Haas driver must race with caution to avoid any additional infractions that could sideline him for a Grand Prix — an outcome that would be devastating for a young driver still establishing himself in the sport.
Speaking to the media after the sprint race in Austin, Bearman admitted that his initial reaction to the stewards’ decision was one of shock and frustration. “I don’t know what you guys thought, but I felt pretty hard done by this morning,” he said. “Actually, I thought I had a race ban for a minute, so I was really, really annoyed. Obviously, with everything that happened, I had a bit of fire in me.”
Bearman’s comments reflect the growing pressure young drivers face in navigating both competitive racing and the complex disciplinary system within Formula 1. While his aggressive defensive driving has often earned him praise for determination and skill, it has also put him under the microscope of race officials.
The incident with Antonelli is the latest in a string of minor but cumulative penalties that have left Bearman walking a tightrope. As the season heads into its final rounds, the British driver knows he must deliver clean and composed performances to protect his standing and reputation. His next challenge comes at the Mexico City Grand Prix, where he will aim to avoid adding to his penalty points tally. If he succeeds, he will breathe easier knowing that two of his current points will soon expire, lowering the risk of a race ban ahead of the 2025 Brazilian Grand Prix.
Despite the setback, Bearman remains focused on improving his race craft and proving his worth to the Haas team. His resilience and openness about the pressures of being on the verge of a suspension reveal the mental toughness required to thrive in Formula 1 — a sport where every move, overtaking attempt, and defensive maneuver can have significant consequences.
At just 20 years old, Bearman’s experience in Austin serves as a critical learning curve in his rookie season, highlighting both the fine margins of modern F1 racing and the discipline needed to stay out of trouble while competing against the world’s best drivers.
