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Liam Lawson

Liam Lawson punished by FIA stewards for Oliver Bearman São Paulo sprint collision

Liam Lawson also punished by the stewards for his part in the Ollie Bearman incident.

Lawson Singapore Fri
Article
To news overview © XPBimages

Liam Lawson has also received a five-second time penalty and had a penalty point applied to his F1 super licence following his clash with Oliver Bearman on the opening lap of the sprint.

Haas driver Bearman was initially awarded the punishment by the stewards for forcing Lawson onto the grass as they went wheel to wheel on the straight into the high-speed Turn 4.

Through T4, however, the duo collided, forcing Bearman into a spin, whilst Racing Bulls driver Lawson powered on.

In reviewing the clash through the corner, the stewards have determined that New Zealander Lawson was at fault.

Outlining the circumstances behind their decision, a stewards' document read: "On the first lap, car 30 [Lawson] attempted to overtake car 87 [Bearman] on the inside (left-hand side) while approaching and through Turn 4. After the apex, as both cars were exiting the corner, there was contact between the two cars.

"In Turn 4, car 30, slightly offset alongside car 87, moved slightly to the right, while car 87, following the natural line of the left-hand corner, turned slightly towards car 30.

"As a result, the left-rear wheel of car 87 became entangled with the right-front wheel of car 30, causing car 87 to spin. Both cars were able to continue the race thereafter.

"Video evidence from circuit cameras and onboard footage did not clearly establish whether the front axle of car 30 was at least momentarily alongside the rear-view mirror of car 87 prior to the apex, let alone whether this overlap was maintained at
the apex - as would be required under the Driving Standards Guidelines for an overtaking car on the inside to be entitled to racing room.

"According to Lawson, the collision was a direct consequence of the prior incident that happened on the straight between Turn 3 and Turn 4, after which car 30 was struggling with colder and damp left tyres.

"As a result. Lawson stated that he experienced understeer, which caused his car to drift slightly towards Bearman’s car, and
resulted in contact between both cars.

"The stewards determined that car 30 was predominantly to blame for the collision.

"However, the stewards take into account the track conditions, the fact that Lawson had colder damp tyres, and the fact that his front axle was almost alongside the mirror of car 87 and consider these as mitigating circumstances.

"The stewards therefore apply a reduction of the standard penalty of 10 seconds to five seconds, combined with one penalty point."

Lawson is now on eight penalty points for the past 12-month period, with the threshold 12 before a ban occurs.

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RESULTS 2025 F1 Brazilian Grand Prix - São Paulo Qualifying