Haas driver Oliver Bearman suffered a 50G impact during the Japanese Grand Prix after a high closing speed incident with Alpine's Franco Colapinto at Suzuka's Spoon corner. Bearman was diagnosed with a right knee contusion but no fractures. The crash has intensified concerns over Formula 1's 2026 energy management regulations.
Oliver Bearman crashed out on lap 22 while battling for 17th position against Franco Colapinto. Travelling at 308km/h, Bearman encountered a 45km/h closing speed difference due to differing energy deployment strategies, forcing him onto the grass before sliding into the barriers at Spoon Curve. Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu described the incident as stemming from a massive closing speed, absolving Colapinto of blame and attributing it to Bearman's misjudgement under the new rules rather than outright error. Bearman walked away with a knee contusion and was excused from media duties after x-rays confirmed no breaks. Komatsu expressed relief that the injury was not worse, calling it a lesson for the team and the sport. Franco Colapinto voiced concerns about the dangers of such closing speeds, likening it to an outlap versus a push lap. 'The speed difference is so big... it becomes really dangerous,' Colapinto said, noting Bearman overtook him even while spinning. He referenced a similar near-miss in Australia. Drivers' association director Carlos Sainz highlighted prior warnings to the FIA and F1 about these risks, stating it was 'only a matter of time' before a big crash occurred. The FIA issued a statement acknowledging ongoing discussions on the 2026 regulations, with meetings scheduled in April, including an F1 Commission gathering on 9 April, to review energy management and safety based on real-world data.
