Bearman's Monaco FP3 ends in barrier strike as Haas face pre-qualifying repair scramble

Oliver Bearman brought out the red flag in Monaco’s final practice session on Saturday after losing the rear of his Haas on a bump approaching Casino Square, leaving the car with significant damage — including a missing rear wing — and the team facing a frantic repair effort ahead of qualifying.

The British driver went slightly wide before the rear of the car caught the barriers, scattering debris across the track. Bearman climbed out unassisted and immediately radioed his apology to the team. “I’m sorry guys, it’s the f***ing bottoming. I totally lost it on the bump. I’m so sorry,” he told his engineers.

The session was halted with just under 14 minutes remaining of the 60-minute FP3 window. A restart was further delayed while the FIA inspected the damaged guard rail at the crash site. “Guard rail damage being inspected on site by Race Director,” the governing body confirmed as the clock ran down.

At the point of the red flag, championship leader Kimi Antonelli had set the fastest time for Mercedes, with Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton — both in Ferraris — slotting in behind him. Bearman had been running 13th before the incident.

The crash leaves Haas with a substantial rebuild job before qualifying at 4pm local time. Bearman currently sits ninth in the drivers’ championship on 18 points, making a clean qualifying run at one of the calendar’s most unforgiving circuits all the more critical.