Formula 1, Sportrik Media - Oliver Bearman insists he is “not a dirty driver” despite entering the 2026 Australian Grand Prix dangerously close to a race ban due to accumulated penalty points on his FIA super licence.
The Haas driver concluded last season by collecting an additional penalty point at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after a defensive battle with Aston Martin driver Lance Stroll.
Bearman was penalised for making more than one change of direction while defending his position, receiving a five-second time penalty and one penalty point on his FIA super licence. The sanction raised his total to 10 points within a 12-month period, leaving him just two points away from an automatic race ban.
Under FIA regulations, any driver who accumulates 12 penalty points within 12 months is automatically suspended for one race. As a result, Bearman must navigate the upcoming rounds carefully before some of his earlier points expire during the Canadian Grand Prix weekend.
Depending on whether the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix take place next month, the British driver could face up to six races before any points are removed from his licence.
Despite the risk, Bearman dismissed suggestions that his situation will force him to significantly change his driving approach.
“No, it doesn’t change anything, to be honest.”
“We agreed as drivers, together with the FIA, that last year penalty points were given out quite easily.”
According to Bearman, the drivers collectively felt that penalty points should not automatically accompany every minor rule infringement during race weekends.
“As a group, we concluded that penalty points shouldn’t be given for every single infringement.”
Nevertheless, the 20-year-old acknowledged the seriousness of his current position in the championship.
“Of course I know that I’m on the edge, and of course I don’t want a race ban.”
“I definitely have to keep that in mind.”
The FIA’s penalty-point system has become increasingly significant in recent seasons. The first driver to receive a race suspension under the current rules was Bearman’s team-mate at the time, Kevin Magnussen, during the 2024 season.
That suspension created the opportunity for Bearman to make his Formula 1 debut with Haas.
Bearman also admitted that several of the penalty points he collected last season resulted from avoidable mistakes.
At the Monaco Grand Prix, he received two penalty points for overtaking Carlos Sainz under red flag conditions during final practice.
A further four points were added during the British Grand Prix weekend after he failed to comply with a red flag in FP3 at Silverstone.
He later collected two additional points following a collision with Williams driver Sainz at the Italian Grand Prix.
Bearman admitted that some of those incidents were unnecessary errors early in his Formula 1 career.
“I gave away a few points quite stupidly last year.”
“The red flag incidents in Monaco and Silverstone were mistakes, and I completely accept that.”
According to the British driver, those experiences have helped accelerate his development as a Formula 1 competitor.
“Those are mistakes I will never make again. I learned the hard way.”
He also believes his increased maturity and experience will help him avoid similar situations in the future.
“I’m much more mature and experienced now than I was 12 months ago, even six months ago.”
“That’s a normal progression for a driver.”
With the threat of a race ban looming, the Australian Grand Prix at the Albert Park street circuit will provide the first major test of Bearman’s ability to balance aggressive racing with the discipline required to avoid further penalties.
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