Oliver Bearman Facing Race Ban in 2026 After Abu Dhabi GP Incident

Oliver Bearman will go into next season on the brink of an automatic race ban after receiving another penalty point during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.



The decision follows a stewards’ investigation into an incident involving Lance Stroll, with both drivers found guilty of making more than one defensive direction change on the approach to turn nine.



Stewards determined that Bearman and Stroll each “made multiple moves in defending” their positions, handing both a five-second time penalty and one penalty point on their licences.



Yuki Tsunoda received an identical punishment for a separate incident with Lando Norris, adding further scrutiny to defensive manoeuvres during the race.



Penalty System Leaves Bearman Close to Suspension



The latest penalty point brings Bearman’s total to 10, leaving him just two points short of the automatic 12-point threshold that triggers an immediate one-race ban within a 12-month span.



The Haas driver will not lose any existing points until after the sixth round of the 2026 season, scheduled in Miami, meaning his position will remain precarious through the early part of next year.



Stroll’s additional point brings his tally to six, reflecting a year that has included multiple investigations and on-track incidents.



Classification Changes After Steward Rulings



The penalties affected the final race results for both drivers.



Stroll dropped back to 10th place behind Nico Hülkenberg, while Bearman fell out of the points entirely, finishing 12th after serving his time penalty.



For Bearman, the setback compounds what has already been a challenging run of disciplinary issues throughout the season.



Stroll’s Penalty Record Shows Season-Long Pattern



Stroll’s updated penalty record includes incidents dating back to the Monaco Grand Prix.



He received one point in May for a collision in practice, two points at his home race in Canada for forcing another driver off the track, another two in the United States sprint for colliding at turn one, and now a final point in Abu Dhabi for multiple defensive direction changes.



The series of penalties reflects an inconsistent season marked by stewards’ scrutiny and frequent mid-pack battles.



Bearman’s Season Marked by Repeated Infractions



Bearman’s penalty history highlights a pattern of costly misjudgments across multiple race weekends.



He was issued two points in Monaco for overtaking under a red flag, four during practice at the British Grand Prix for failing to obey a red flag signal, and two more at Monza after colliding at turn four.



Another point came in Brazil for what stewards deemed “potentially dangerous” straight-line driving during the sprint event.



His latest point in Abu Dhabi brings him to a total of 10, closing in on the disciplinary limit faster than any other current driver.



With the new season approaching, the 18-year-old will face significant pressure to adjust his approach and avoid reaching 12 points, which would remove him from a grand prix weekend entirely.
The post Oliver Bearman Facing Race Ban in 2026 After Abu Dhabi GP Incident appeared first on Formula1News.co.uk .