Komatsu links Bearman’s long pit stop to lap-one damage in São Paulo

After the São Paulo Grand Prix, Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu said a lap-one snap at Turn 3 had damaged Ollie Bearman’s rear impact structure. The team did not know about the damage at the time, Komatsu said, and it had a major effect on Bearman’s long pit stop.

Bearman started sixth, his career-best grid position, on intermediates after pre-race rain. He held 10th after the opening lap and through his first stint, then pitted on lap 16 once the crossover to slicks had been reached. A slow stop dropped him to 18th; he finished 17th.

Bearman described the start as a minor moment, saying he lost a few places but regained them. He called the pit stops very slow and said he could not fight back. Komatsu said Bearman’s pace had returned strongly during the first stint and that he was fighting for 10th before the long stop.