On the opening lap of the Chinese Grand Prix at Turn 13, Isack Hadjar’s Red Bull RB22 snapped sideways and spun, forcing Oliver Bearman into the runoff to avoid a collision. Bearman described the moment as a potential “monster shunt,” saying he had about “one tenth of a second” to react and that he was “so lucky… to be standing here.” Hadjar said the rear of his car “snapped out” of him and that he had no time to correct it. Both drivers escaped the incident uninjured and were able to continue the race.

Bearman dropped to last place after going off but staged a recovery drive for Haas, executing a series of overtakes — including moves on Carlos Sainz, Max Verstappen, Liam Lawson, Pierre Gasly, Nico Hülkenberg, Arvid Lindblad, Esteban Ocon and Franco Colapinto — and at times reported being quicker than the Red Bulls and an Audi. A well-timed late safety car helped close the pack and consolidate his gains, and Bearman ultimately finished fifth.

Hadjar recovered to eighth and collected four championship points. Bearman’s result moved him to fifth in the Drivers’ Championship with 17 points and helped Haas rise to fourth in the constructors’ standings; it was also the second successive race this season in which his start had been compromised.

Sources