Madrid GP grid hit by first reshuffle as pit-lane start confirmed

The British driver missed qualifying on Saturday due to a heavy crash in the closing stages of FP3. Bearman lost control of his car and hit the barriers, bringing his session to a premature end, with the damage sustained in the accident preventing him from taking part in qualifying later in the day.

With Bearman already due to start from the back after missing qualifying, Haas opted to take the opportunity to introduce fresh power unit components for the Madrid Grand Prix. The British driver has been fitted with a fourth Control Electronics unit, exceeding the three permitted for the 2026 season and therefore breaching Article B8.2.2 e) of the Formula 1 regulations.

Haas also installed a fourth MGU-K on Bearman’s car, again exceeding the season allocation of three and breaching Article B8.2.2 f). Both changes were made without the approval of the Technical Delegate, resulting in a further breach of Article B3.5.3 and leaving Bearman facing an automatic pit-lane start.