Oliver Bearman trapped in Q1: "I didn't cross the line on time"

Oliver Bearman hasn't seemed to be the favorite of the pre-race gods since the start of the season last week in Australia. The day after a strong performance in the Sprint Qualifying session (12th), the semi-rookie failed to make it out of Q1 in Shanghai, a track where traffic management and timing are essential. The young driver Haas found himself trapped at the end of Q1, unable to complete his final fast lap. With a best time of 1:32.018, he finished in 17th position, eliminated prematurely while his teammate Esteban Ocon climbed to 11th place.

Reflexes to obtain

With the mine closed, Bearman took stock of what went wrong for him. “We had planned three tests in Q1, but I couldn't complete my last lap because of traffic and time, he explained at the F1 microphone. I didn't cross the line on time, and that's what cost me Q2." A situation all the more frustrating for him as the Haas seemed to finally find some rhythm after a complicated Sprint. We changed a few settings between the Sprint and Qualifying, and I felt the car was better.", explained the Briton. "My first lap was for getting used to it, the second was better... but I couldn't do the last one."

Details that cost a lot

Haas Team Principal Ayao Komatsu considered that the Briton could have made it to Q2 if " some operational details » had been better managed. I'm sure Ollie would have had similar luck [to Esteban Ocon. Editor's note], noted the Japanese leader. But he was unable to complete his final timed lap in Q1 due to a tiny time difference. Despite his disappointment, Esteban Ocon's garage neighbour remains focused on Sunday's race. “The changes made to the car are more racing oriented, he advanced. I hope we can have a good race tomorrow."

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