Oliver Bearman smashed his Haas into the barriers on the run‑up to Casino Square, forcing a red flag in the final practice session of the Monaco Grand Prix.
Incident at Casino Square
Approaching the hill that leads to Casino Square, Bearman carried excess speed into a corner, allowing the rear of the car to clip the guard rail. The impact ripped the rear wing from the chassis, scattering debris before the car halted. “I’m sorry guys, it’s the f***ing bottoming. I totally lost it on the bump. I’m so sorry,” the 19‑year‑old admitted, exiting the car without assistance.
The stoppage occurred with just under 14 minutes remaining in the 60‑minute session. At that moment, Mercedes‑affiliated Kimi Antonelli topped the timesheets, trailed by Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, while Bearman had been sitting 13th.
Session Timing and FIA Response
The race director announced a delay while officials inspected damage to the guard rail, as noted in the FIA’s official statement. The red‑flag period stretched the session beyond its scheduled end, compressing the window for teams to regroup before qualifying.
Implications for Qualifying and the Championship
Haas now faces an extensive repair job ahead of the 4 p.m. (local) qualifying slot, which could jeopardise their grid position. Bearman, currently ninth in the drivers’ standings with 18 points, must rely on a swift turnaround to remain competitive.
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