Oliver Bearman Recounts Terrifying High-Speed Near-Miss with Isack Hadjar During Opening Lap of Chinese Grand Prix

Haas driver Oliver Bearman describes the moment he "almost killed" Isack Hadjar in a high-speed spin during the opening lap of the Chinese Grand Prix.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 17, 2026, 3:09 PM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from PlanetF1

A Narrow Escape During a High-Stakes Opening Lap Battle

The opening moments of the Chinese Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit were nearly overshadowed by a high-speed incident involving two of the grid’s rising stars. Racing for position in a tight wheel-to-wheel contest, Oliver Bearman and Isack Hadjar were separated by only a single grid slot when the situation turned critical. According to trackside reports, Hadjar lost control of his Red Bull machine after a sudden rear-axle lock, causing the car to rotate violently while the field was still at peak density. Bearman, trailing closely in ninth position, was forced to make a split-second decision to avoid T-boning the spinning car in front of him.

Technical Failure Triggers a Dangerous On-Track Rotation

The near-collision was initiated when Hadjar, who had lined up in eighth place, experienced a mechanical or driver-induced error that compromised his stability. By locking his rear axle under heavy load, the Red Bull driver became a passenger as his vehicle spun across the racing line. According to Bearman, the trajectory of the spin was particularly treacherous, as Hadjar darted toward the left side of the track—the same direction Bearman had chosen for his evasive maneuver. This forced the Haas driver to completely abandon the racing surface and utilize the tarmac run-off area to ensure a safe distance between the two vehicles.

Visceral Reactions to a Potential Life-Threatening Impact

In the immediate aftermath of the race, Bearman was visibly shaken by the severity of the encounter, using blunt language to describe the proximity of the cars. Speaking to Viaplay, the British driver admitted that he "almost killed" his counterpart during the terrifying moment, highlighting the extreme speeds involved at that section of the circuit. The raw emotion of the incident stayed with the rookie into the media pen, where he struggled to maintain his composure while reflecting on how close the session came to a tragic end.