F1 Announces More Punishments for Liam Lawson, Oliver Bearman, and Others After Abu Dhabi GP

Lawson was investigated for his defensive driving against Car 87 (Bearman) during Lap 53. According to the FIA report, Car 30 made “several erratic moves” between Turns 8 and 9 as the trailing car approached.

The incident breached Appendix L, Chapter IV, Article 2(e) of the International Sporting Code, which prohibits unpredictable or dangerous defensive inputs when another car is attempting an overtake.

The full ruling:

• 5-second time penalty (applied during the race)
• 1 penalty point added to his licence, bringing his total to 6 over the past 12 months (post-race)

Oliver Bearman Penalized for Multiple Direction Changes

The stewards also handed down additional punishment to Oliver Bearman for a separate defensive infringement. While battling Car 18 (Lance Stroll) into Turn 9, Bearman made more than one change of direction, a straightforward violation of Appendix L, Chapter IV, Article 2(b) regarding blocking maneuvers.

The decision mirrored Lawson’s:

• 5-second time penalty (served during the race)
• 1 penalty point added to his licence, giving him 10 over the past 12 months (post-race)

It is worth noting that 12 penalty points within a 12-month window triggers an automatic one-race ban, meaning Bearman is now two points away from suspension heading into 2026.

Multiple Incidents, One Consistent Theme

In separate incidents, Lance Stroll was also hit with an additional post-race penalty. After review, the stewards ruled that he made more than one change of direction while defending his position, resulting in a penalty point being added to his Super Licence.

Similarly, Yuki Tsunoda also had a penalty point added to his Super License after the Lando Norris incident.

While the situations involved different cars and corners, the stewards reached similar conclusions: all drivers crossed the line while defending.

Neither incident resulted in a collision, but the FIA has been clear throughout recent seasons that aggressive blocking and erratic movement at high speeds will draw swift punishment, especially during overtaking attempts.

For Lawson, Bearman, Stroll, and Tsunoda, the Abu Dhabi GP now ends not only with lost time on track but with consequences that may carry weight into next season.