F1 Sensation Ollie Bearman Forced into Shock Retirement at the Miami G… read more
The 2025 Miami Grand Prix delivered high drama as Formula 1 rookie Ollie Bearman was forced into a shock retirement during the sixth round of his debut season. The 19-year-old Brit, driving for Haas, was running competitively before a sudden mechanical failure on lap 29 ended his race prematurely, drawing widespread attention and concern from fans and pundits alike.
Bearman had been putting in a solid performance through the early stages of the race, but disaster struck just past the halfway mark of the 57-lap contest. As his VF-25 began to slow down abruptly, thick smoke began pouring out of the rear of his car, signaling serious internal trouble. Commentating live for Sky F1, David Croft quickly noted the severity of the situation, saying, “He didn’t lock up, this could be Ollie Bearman out of the race just cruising around.” It was evident something had gone catastrophically wrong.
As sparks flew from the back of Bearman’s car, he immediately took to team radio to voice his concern. “Oh my God, I lost everything,” he said, his voice filled with frustration and disbelief. This alarming message added urgency to the unfolding situation, and not long after, Bearman became the second retirement of the race after Jack Doohan failed to complete the opening lap.
Initial reports from the Haas garage pointed to a power unit issue, which would be consistent with the visual signs of mechanical failure. The race engineer was quick to acknowledge a problem with the car’s systems, while commentators speculated on the potential causes. Sky Sports pundit and former F1 driver Martin Brundle offered a technical insight, commenting: “That did sound like a power unit as well, didn’t it? Because the sparks were coming out of the exhaust. He’s lost hydraulics, so you lose throttle, you lose power steering – that is actually gremlins in there big time.”
Bearman’s stricken car was stopped at a challenging part of the circuit, which prompted race control to deploy a Virtual Safety Car (VSC). This neutralized the race temporarily, requiring all drivers to reduce their speed to 40 percent while marshals worked to clear the track safely.
The timing of the VSC proved to be a strategic stroke of luck for some, but misfortune for others. Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton capitalized on the timing, diving into the pits as the VSC was activated, allowing him to lose less time during his pit stop. In contrast, Charles Leclerc of Ferrari, who had just passed the pit entry when the VSC was triggered, missed the opportunity and had to wait for another window to make his stop, costing him valuable seconds in a highly competitive field.
Bearman’s retirement was not an isolated incident. Just a few laps later, fellow rookie Gabriel Bortoleto, driving for Sauber, also retired from the race under strikingly similar circumstances. Bortoleto brought his car to a halt on the back straight, citing engine failure. His voice over the team radio revealed the frustration all too familiar to Bearman: “Mate, my engine is failing, I cannot drive like this.” Like Haas, Sauber also uses Ferrari power units, raising concerns over potential reliability issues within the Ferrari-supplied components.
The dual retirements of Bearman and Bortoleto not only interrupted the flow of the race but also raised important technical questions for teams and engine suppliers. With both Haas and Sauber reliant on Ferrari power units, technical teams across the grid will likely be conducting urgent diagnostics to determine whether a broader systemic issue may be at play.
For Bearman, the Miami Grand Prix was supposed to be another chance to build on his growing reputation after impressive stints earlier in the season. Instead, he was left to reflect on a cruel twist of fate, watching from the sidelines as his debut campaign faced a new challenge.
Despite the disappointment, Bearman’s poise and maturity in handling the situation further confirmed the belief many have in his future. As the F1 circus moves on to the next race, the spotlight will remain firmly on the Haas garage as they seek to rectify the issues that led to Bearman’s unexpected exit in Miami.
