Bearman and Lawson Penalized for Sprint Race Clashes with One-Point Each

In a dramatic sprint race at the Brazilian Grand Prix, Oliver Bearman and Liam Lawson faced penalties following a series of on-track clashes. The incidents not only impacted their race but also their penalty point standings, bringing Bearman closer to a potential ban.

Bearman Penalized for On-Track Incident

Oliver Bearman, who had recently dropped two penalty points from his racing license, quickly accrued another point. The stewards penalized him for forcing Lawson off the track during the first lap of the sprint race. As a result, Bearman now has a total of nine penalty points, just three shy of an automatic ban.

Details of the Incident

The race began with Bearman pushing Lawson toward the inside of the track between Curva do Sol and Descida do Lago. Lawson later expressed frustration, stating that Bearman’s move left him insufficient space. “I had a big run and just wanted to go to his left,” Lawson recounted. “He pushed me onto the grass, creating a high-risk situation at high speed, especially in the wet.”

Subsequently, their clash at turn four resulted in a spin for Bearman. The stewards concluded that Bearman had created “unnecessary risk” by not providing Lawson adequate room. They noted that Lawson had the speed and positioned his car alongside Bearman when the incident occurred.

Stewards’ Rulings

• Bearman received a one-point penalty and a five-second time penalty.
• Lawson was also held primarily responsible for the collision at turn four, receiving the same penalties.
• Lawson’s penalty point total now stands at eight.

The stewards’ report indicated that while both drivers contributed to the incidents, Lawson’s conditions, such as cold and damp tires, were mitigating factors in their collision.

Conclusion

As both drivers reflected on the race, Bearman noted that discussing the incidents further was pointless. The penalties have significant implications for both racers moving forward, particularly with Bearman approaching the threshold for an automatic ban.