Oliver Bearman has backed Max Verstappen’s recent criticism of FIA’s sporting regulations, agreeing that the current guidelines can make on-track racing in Formula 1 feel “unnatural”.
Ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix, the Haas rookie underlined the difficulty drivers face in balancing hard racing with the risk of incurring penalties under increasingly strict enforcement.
Verstappen’s remarks came before the FIA officially published the updated racing guidelines for the 2025 season – changes aimed at clarifying wheel-to-wheel conduct.
The reigning World Champion’s frustrations followed a tense finale to the Spanish Grand Prix, where he was involved in heated late-race battles with Charles Leclerc and George Russell.
Fast forward to the Austrian Grand Prix, and Verstappen found support in Bearman, who echoed similar concerns about the rigidity of the current system.
Asked if he agreed with Verstappen’s view that racing now feels unnatural, Bearman didn’t hesitate.
“Exactly, I agree,” he told media including Motorsport Week.
“I think it is a little bit harsh to see drivers getting race bans for trying to create action, like we saw Kevin [Magnussen] get a race ban last year.
“And although it helped me, I felt like he was really hard done by to have a race ban for all these tiny infractions.
“In the end, he tried to overtake, but it didn’t work, and they both cut the corner.
“It’s no harm, no foul – everyone keeps going. There were no dangerous manoeuvres, no damage, but two penalty points.
“They add up quickly, so it’s a shame. It’s a difficult thing, because of course drivers need to be punished in some way to stop them from doing things, but a balance needs to be struck.”
Strict guidelines detract from natural racing instincts
Bearman went on to elaborate on the mental challenge drivers face during intense on-track battles, where strict guidelines can interfere with natural instincts.
He explained: “Sometimes in wheel-to-wheel situations, you need to be thinking about what point three of the guidelines says: ‘Ok, I have to let him go’.
“This stuff sometimes feels a bit unnatural, as we have circuits with gravel on the outside, and then you don’t try to go around the outside.
“Having all these prescriptions for everything can be a bit – not unhealthy – but difficult to remember in the heat of the moment, as you have a split second to make that decision, and you don’t have time to remember the five-page document you were sent in January.”
Despite his concerns, Bearman acknowledged the FIA’s intention, adding: “It is difficult to, but the FIA is doing a good thing, trying to create some consistency.”
With drivers continuing to raise concerns publicly, pressure may grow on the governing body to refine its enforcement or provide clearer in-race guidance.
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