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The FIA has offered an explanation for Ollie Bearman’s controversial exit from Q1 in Formula 1 qualifying at Imola, something Bearman called “totally unfair”.
Bearman was deeply unimpressed with the FIA deciding the laptime he set at the end of Q1 was completed just after the red flag for Franco Colapinto’s big crash.
That deleted time meant he was knocked out of Q1 in 19th place, rather than keeping the laptime that would have comfortably advanced him to Q2.
“I mean, we get the red light on our dash, that for me didn't happen until quite a way after I crossed the line,” a visibly irritated Bearman said.
Bearman's F1TV onboard
Bearman crosses the finish line
Red flag panel becomes visible
“Watching the outboard video, it was clear that there was no red flag displayed when I crossed the line," Bearman argued.
“I believe it's totally unfair to have it deleted. I feel like once they make a decision - even if it's wrong, even if it's clearly wrong - they are not going to turn back on it. And that seems a bit harsh.”
Race control delayed the start of Q2 to review the matter and ensure it had made the right choice, meaning Bearman was sat in his car for over 10 minutes in case he was suddenly put back into Q2.
“I don't know what took them 10 minutes to understand,” Bearman continued.
“It's a clear cut case in my opinion. From what I saw it was extremely clear. But... you know, unfortunately not for them.”
And when asked by The Race if having to sit around and wait for a review into the decision made it more frustrating, Bearman replied: “I wasn't frustrated, honestly.
“I was quite sure about what would happen because I know how these people work, in a way.
“It's a shame. It's a shame because I was quite sure that the second my lap was deleted, there was no way I was getting it back.”
Bearman said Haas was “perplexed as well” and said he would “like to now fully understand what happened with the team, with the FIA, and see.
“It's one thing being kicked out, but it's another thing being kicked out with no explanation, which is the case at the moment.”
The FIA’s explanation
A few hours after qualifying, The Race received the FIA’s explanation of events.
“In relation to the Oliver Bearman situation in Q1, the red flag was set at 16:32.17.6 seconds,” an FIA statement read.
“Bearman crossed the line at 16:32.20.9 seconds with the abort signal / red flag showing on the start gantry.
“Qualifying 2 was delayed to enable the Stewards to consult the relevant timing experts and examine the underlining data to satisfy themselves that the timing system data was valid and it was therefore right to proceed.
“The overriding objective was to determine whether or not Bearman had completed the lap before or after the red flag and whether the lap should be disallowed, to ensure the right drivers progressed to Qualifying 2.”
The Race understands Haas is meeting with the FIA to discuss the matter and receive further clarity, with on and off board video evidence appearing to show that the red flag wasn’t displayed on any of the LED boards on the start/finish straight until after Bearman crossed the line.
Bearman believes Imola being the debut of Haas’s big upgrade package makes it all the more painful: “We work, we invest so much, we have a new package this weekend, this has been months and months in the pipeline, it's the only chance we have to show it, and I put a lap that's a representative and really get the most out of the car, and that's what we have to show for it. It's a big shame.”
