Haas Formula 1 team principal Ayao Komatsu has urged caution against hasty changes following the collision between Oliver Bearman and Franco Colapinto at the Japanese Grand Prix. The incident at Suzuka highlighted concerns over closing speeds under the 2026 regulations. Komatsu emphasized the need for thoughtful adjustments amid ongoing discussions.
At Suzuka, Bearman trailed Colapinto's Alpine by about one second through sector two. However, as Colapinto harvested energy at Spoon, a 45km/h speed differential emerged, forcing Bearman onto the grass. He spun into the barriers at 50G, intensifying scrutiny of the 2026 rules that encourage varied battery strategies and amplify closing speeds—a issue flagged since pre-season and incidents in Melbourne and Shanghai. Drivers have voiced safety worries: Colapinto called it 'really dangerous,' Carlos Sainz predicted it was 'only a matter of time,' and Lando Norris said drivers are at the 'mercy' of the power unit. Max Verstappen has pushed for major revisions due to the regulations' electrical energy focus. Komatsu, speaking to Sky Sports, warned: 'We cannot be making knee-jerk reaction changes and then a few races later be saying, 'that was the wrong option'.' He praised the collaborative effort among teams, FIA, and F1, expecting a solid fix. An energy recovery limit was already imposed for qualifying, allowing later lift-off into corners, and a meeting is set for April 9 with stakeholders. Komatsu told print media that minor tweaks could enhance safety and racing quality without wholesale overhauls.
