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AAP
AAP
Joanna Guelas

F1 rookie Bearman endures horror weekend in Melbourne

Haas driver Oliver Bearman was one of a number of young guns who crashed out at Albert Park. (Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS)

Crashes, gearbox issues and visits into the gravel traps - Formula One rookie Ollie Bearman has endured a baptism of fire at the Australian Grand Prix.

The Haas driver's horror weekend at Albert Park in Melbourne ended with a 14th-placed finish as McLaren's Lando Norris claimed the chequered flag on Sunday.

The 19-year-old rookie, who made his F1 debut as a reserve driver with Ferrari last year, could not catch a break at the season-opening event.

Bearman kickstarted his first full-time campaign by crashing into the barrier in the opening practice session, missing P2 as a result.

He tried to make up for lost time in the third and final practice session but instead sent himself into the gravel midway through his first flying lap.

Bearman's error followed him into qualifying later that day, failing to record a lap time after suffering gearbox issues.

He qualified last in 20th but his misfortune did not end there.

The highly-rated British teenager was then made to start the 58-lap race in Melbourne from pit lane after his crew tweaked the suspension in his car.

Teams are unable to make changes to cars between qualifying and race start under parc ferme conditions.

He was joined in pit lane by Red Bull driver Liam Lawson after changes to the rear of his car.

But Bearman was far from the only rookie to struggle at Albert Park, with Racing Bulls driver Isack Hadjar crashing before the race started.

Hadjar lost control of his rear and hit the wall in the formation lap, causing a 15-minute delay.

The 20-year-old was in tears was he walked back into the paddock, consoled by seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton's father Anthony.

"Just embarrassed and sorry for the team," Hadjar said.

"Breaking the car so early in the season really breaks my heart.

"I would say I have a strong chin but this one, definitely, it's pretty hard."

Australian rookie Jack Doohan along with Gabriel Bortoleto, Liam Lawson, Carlos Sainz and Fernando Alonso also suffered race-ending crashes.

Hometown hero Oscar Piastri finished ninth, fluffing his chance for a historic podium when he lost control of his McLaren with 12 laps remaining.

Bearman's Haas teammate Esteban Ocon struggled to hold up his end of the garage, finishing 13th after qualifying in 19th.

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