In a heart-stopping moment that could have had catastrophic consequences, Oliver Bearman revealed he “almost killed” fellow driver Isack Hadjar during the intensely competitive Chinese Grand Prix. The incident unfolded at the Shanghai International Circuit when the Red Bull driver unexpectedly lost control, spinning directly into Bearman’s path, creating a scenario that had adrenaline pumping and hearts racing.
Both drivers were battling it out for position, lined up eighth and ninth on the grid, with Hadjar taking the lead. As the race intensified, Hadjar’s misfortune struck; he spun out after locking his rear axle, leaving Bearman with a split-second decision to make. The Haas driver instinctively veered left to avoid a collision, but Hadjar, in a dangerous twist of fate, spun in the same direction. Bearman’s quick reflexes forced him to take the riskier route of using the tarmac run-off, narrowly escaping what could have been a devastating high-speed crash.
“The moment I almost killed him,” Bearman recounted, visibly shaken, during a post-race interview with Viaplay. His unfiltered response, “To be honest, f*** – sorry that wasn’t the word I was looking for – damn that was close!” encapsulated the gravity of the situation. He continued to express his disbelief at the near-miss, admitting, “F*** me,” while jokingly acknowledging the potential financial repercussions of his outburst.
Bearman reflected on the chaos of the moment, stating, “I mean I’m lucky to be standing here, honestly, I would have been a monster shunt.” He elaborated on the difficult conditions drivers faced that day, noting that wind and car balance were problematic throughout the race. “It was just all over the place… it felt like the corner was done and then next thing I know, he’s sideways,” he described, emphasizing the rapidity of the incident that could have altered both their careers.
Although Bearman found himself at the back of the pack following the incident, his tenacity shone through as he clawed his way back up the leaderboard, ultimately finishing in a commendable P5. “Both of my races this year, Australia and China, I’ve ended up pretty much last after Lap 1, but we’re getting there, and the race was fantastic after that,” he noted triumphantly. His strategy and pace allowed him to overtake rivals, showcasing a strong performance that put him ahead of both Alpines and an Audi in those crucial moments.
With a total of 17 points now under his belt from the season, Bearman has made a significant mark, currently sitting in P5 in the Drivers’ Championship standings. “I think we’re quicker in race trim,” he remarked about the performance of his VF-26, recognizing the need for further optimization in qualifying. Despite the challenges, he remains optimistic about the car’s balance and overall feeling, indicating a promising trajectory for the rest of the season.
As Bearman prepares for upcoming races, the stakes remain high, and the lessons learned from this near-disastrous encounter will undoubtedly shape his approach on the track. The thrilling unpredictability of Formula 1 was on full display in Shanghai, reminding fans and drivers alike that every second counts in the pursuit of glory.
