Launch of Haas VF-25 for 2025 — Photo: © IMAGO

F1 Testing

Haas race car DAMAGED in insane testing accident

Another strange F1 testing incident occurred on Friday

Matthew Hobkinson Lead Editor

F1 Editor & Journalist

Friday 28 February 2025 22:30

Haas have become a full lead for a NASCAR team this year, but it was their Formula 1 team who made headlines on Friday this week.

Young driver Ollie Bearman has driving on the final day of the three-day pre-season F1 test in Bahrain this week, when his engine cover was ripped clean off his car.

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Friday (today) was the final day of testing for all teams before the attention solely turns to lights out in Melbourne for the Australian Grand Prix on March 16.

Haas have been working hard across three days of F1 testing in Bahrain

Haas F1 car has engine cover ripped off

Haas have followed suit with the majority of teams and therefore Ocon might have been gingerly watching on when he saw the VF-25 that he would be driving later that day lose a chunk of bodywork with Bearman behind the wheel.

The freak incident saw a part of the car's engine cover come loose, leaving a gaping hole in the side of the car as it trundled back to the pits.

Thankfully Bearman was unhurt as the car stayed on track, but the 19-year-old was quickly ordered back to the pits to give the team a chance to assess and repair the damage done.

Ollie Bearman is preparing for his first full F1 season with Haas

Mechanics sprang into life as the car entered the garage, with team principal Ayao Komatsu even leaving the pit-wall to come and take a look at the issue first-hand.

Haas experienced a similar issue during a team shakedown at Silverstone earlier in the year, as the team look to iron out the issue before the season gets underway. READ MORE: McLaren announce driver SWITCH ahead of testing as release confirmed

Red Bull Christian Horner FIA Haas Ollie Bearman