A filmmaker with a soft spot for Ronnie Peterson, Gilles Villeneuve, Mika Hakkinen and above all, Tazio Nuvolari and Ayrton Senna, is also a diehard Formula One fan since the age of 4 (mid-90's). An avid researcher of the past of Grand Prix Racing since before it was even named F1, and with a thirst for knowledge of the ins and outs of the actuality of the sport, as well as for the technical aspects that define it, is a member of GPblog since 2023, where he has put his love of racing to good use.
Oliver Bearman's final Q1 push lap was deleted by the Stewards, and according to the Haas F1 driver, there was no explanation given to justify what he believes was the 'clearly wrong decision'.
His final lap would have seen the British driver take his VF-25 into Q2. Sadly for him, this was not the case. Speaking after qualifying to media inclusing GPblog, Bearman was clearly in disagreement with the FIA's race officials' decision.
"We get the red light on our dash. That for me didn't happen until quite away after I crossed the line. Watching the onboard video, it was clear that there was no red flag displayed when I crossed the line."
Bearman believes Stewards' approach to race oversight is 'harsh'
"So I believe it's totally unfair to have it deleted and I feel like once they make a decision, even if it's wrong, even if it's clearly wrong, they're not going to turn back on it and that seems a bit harsh."
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The decision was a time pressured one seeing as the track marshalls were clearing up Franco Colapinto's crash - the reason why the red flag was waved in the first place - but for Bearman, it was quite clear what the right decision was.
"I don't know what took them 10 minutes to understand. It's a clear cut case in my opinion. From what I saw it was extremely clear. But unfortunately not for them".
Formula 1 World Championship 2025, Round 7, Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Imola, Italy, Saturday 17 May 2025 - Oliver Bearman (GBR) Haas VF-25.
Bearman 'knows how these people work'
Bearman had already seen it coming, and the Haas F1 driver explains why. "I wasn't frustrated. Honestly I was quite sure about what would happen. Because I know how these people work in a way and it's a shame."
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He then revealed that the race officials did not give an explanation to the team even, as to why the lap in question had been deleted, something Bearman also takes issue with.
"No [the Stewards did not reach out to Haas], I think they [the team] are perplexed as well. I would like now to fully understand what happened with the team and the FIA."
"Because 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."
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