Bearman at risk of big grid drop after red flag pit entry crash
Formula 1

Bearman at risk of big grid drop after red flag pit entry crash

by Scott Mitchell-Malm
1 min read

Ollie Bearman is under investigation for an unusual crash approaching the pitlane during a red flag period at the end of final practice at the British Grand Prix.

The Haas Formula 1 driver, who set the sixth-fastest time in FP3, locked his rear wheels and nosed into the barriers on the right-hand side on the run into the pit entry.

It broke the front wing and nose on his VF-25 and scattered debris.

Bearman seemingly got caught out practicing the pit entry - standard practice in such sessions - by his brakes cooling down on a slow inlap, as the session had been red-flagged due to a spin and suspension failure for Gabriel Bortoleto.

"My brakes are cold," said Bearman on the radio. "What an idiot."

Bearman was placed under investigation for a "red flag infringement", which if considered as straightforward as the standard offence of "failing to slow for red flags or lights on the track" carries a recommended 10-place grid penalty if done in practice, according to the FIA's penalty guidelines.

Such a penalty would be a big blow given Bearman's pace in the upgraded VF-25, just six tenths off the pace and the lead midfield car in FP3.

Bearman is due to see the British GP stewards at 1.15pm local time.

Team-mate Esteban Ocon was 13th-fastest and two tenths slower.

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