![\"Bearman](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/XPB_1372741_HiRes.jpg\")
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tOliver Bearman says he will change his driving style to avoid a race ban. Image: XPB Images<\/p>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tOliver Bearman says he will change his driving style to avoid a race ban. Image: XPB Images<\/p>\n
Bearman picked up a 10-second penalty and two penalty points for his clash with Carlos Sainz at Monza<\/a>, leaving him on a total of 10.<\/p>\n With penalty points remaining on a driver\u2019s license for 12 months, the 20-year-old must avoid further sanctions until November, when his earliest points begin to expire.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s my fault for getting the penalty regardless of if we agree with the rules or not,\u201d Bearman said.<\/p>\n \u201cBut it\u2019s a tough one to take. That\u2019s not how any of us have grown up racing, really.\u201d<\/p>\n The Monza incident added fuel to ongoing debate over Formula 1\u2019s racing guidelines, with stewards having simultaneously overturned a penalty given to Sainz in Zandvoort.<\/p>\n That case was reclassified as a racing incident after Liam Lawson lost control, though officials still argued Sainz \u201chad no right to room\u201d on the outside, highlighting continued confusion over when drivers are entitled to space.<\/p>\n Bearman said the clash had forced him to adapt his approach in wheel-to-wheel fights, even if it goes against his instincts.<\/p>\n \u201cIn that split second where you brake and you see how fast you\u2019re entering the corner with respect to your competitor, you don\u2019t then think about the three-page guideline they sent you in January. It\u2019s not possible,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n \u201cFrom my side at no point was I out of control. I was totally just racing to the corner with another driver and then I didn\u2019t get left any space at all\u2026 but the rules are the rules.\u201d<\/p>\n Now, Bearman said he will have to take fewer risks.<\/p>\n \u201cI would hope to get given space on the inside, but clearly there\u2019s a possibility that that won\u2019t happen, so I can\u2019t take that risk.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a shame. I guess I\u2019ll just go around the outside now.\u201d<\/p>\n His predicament follows Max Verstappen\u2019s own close call earlier this year, when the reigning world champion sat on 10 points for two races after contact with George Russell in Spain<\/a>.<\/p>\n