Disappointing Monza
After the conclusion of the European rounds of the championship with the Italian Grand Prix, Formula 1 now heads this weekend to the streets of Baku for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The race could be the perfect chance for Haas to bounce back after Monza, where the American team failed to score any points, at least in the overall standings.
Focus on the Super Licence
Oliver Bearman was penalized by the Race Stewards for causing contact with Carlos Sainz at the Variante della Roggia, which, combined with previous infractions during the season, brought him to a worrying total of 10 penalty points on his FIA Super Licence. According to the regulations, if the former Ferrari Driver Academy talent reaches 12 points, he would face a one-race suspension. As a result, starting from Baku and for the following three Grands Prix, Oliver Bearman will be under even closer scrutiny.
“It’s really great to return to a track where I already raced with the MoneyGram Haas F1 Team as a substitute last year,” said Bearman, making a curious reference to Kevin Magnussen, who missed that race due to his own 12-point penalty suspension. “That weekend, when I finished in 10th place, will stay in my memory for a long time. Getting to know the team and working with everyone really helped me prepare for this season. I’ve won here in junior categories, and I love the narrow and fast nature of the Baku City Circuit. It’s an intense lap to master, but when you get it right, there’s no better feeling.”
Esteban Ocon is also eager to return to the top 10. Before the difficult weekend in Monza, the Frenchman had achieved his best result with Haas at Zandvoort, where he finished sixth. “After a tough race at Monza, we’re looking forward to getting back on track in Baku this weekend. This circuit is exciting to drive, with its mix of tight, twisty corners and very long straights. It really keeps you on your toes because you’re always very close to the wall, especially through the narrow castle section. Over the years we’ve seen many chaotic moments on this track, so there’s always a chance to benefit by keeping it clean and taking opportunities when they come. It’s always about finding the right compromise in the car setup between the slow corners, the bumpy surface, and the two very long straights. For us, it will be crucial to start on the right foot on Friday to put ourselves in the best position to fight for points.”
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