Oliver Bearman calls for urgent F1 fix after frightening crash

Haas driver Oliver Bearman has urged F1 to address dangerous speed differentials created by the sport's new power unit regulations, following his high-speed crash while avoiding Franco Colapinto at Suzuka.

The Briton described the Alpine driver's defensive manoeuvre as "unacceptable" under the current rules, which feature a 50-50 power split between internal combustion engine and electrical battery that can create closing speeds of up to 50kph between cars.

The 20-year-old also called for drivers to have more respect for one another and, when asked on the Up To Speed podcast how realistic that was — with it likened to telling a driver to leave the door open — he elaborated on the issue.

"Well, not leaving the door open, but he saw me coming and moved," Bearman explained. "Last year, that would have been okay, but this year, he saw me coming too late.

"I'm coming at such a speed delta that, at that stage, it's too late to move. I see he looked in his mirrors and went left, which is not good."

A fundamental change from 2025

The crash has accelerated discussions between the FIA, teams and F1 about modifying regulations that create hazardous situations when one driver deploys energy whilst another simultaneously harvests to recharge their battery, or has run out of electrical power.

Talks between those bodies were already planned for the unexpected April break — following the postponement of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix — but safety concerns have consequently been pushed higher up the agenda.

Bearman acknowledged potential solutions are being explored ahead of the Miami Grand Prix, saying: "I think there are a few tweaks that we can do with the FIA, and we've been working very well together to try and avoid these big differences in speed.

"Because, like I said, 50kph, normally, that's like a car on a cooldown lap, versus a car pushing, and then when they move to defend their position, it's dangerous."

The FIA held a virtual meeting on 9 April with further sessions on 15 and 16 April, with six solutions under consideration, including modifications to super clipping limits and power deployment profiles, for a vote on 20 April.

Bearman stressed that the unpredictable nature of the new regulations has fundamentally changed racing dynamics from 2025.

"Last year, we were pushing it to the absolute limit, moving at the last second," he said. "Now we're in a new era where we don't know exactly what the limits are."

On his call for more respect between the drivers, Bearman added: "I don't think it's a solution; it's more of a plaster for these differences.

However, the Haas driver remains optimistic that any proposed regulatory tweaks will help the situation. "In theory, we shouldn't see these differences for the rest of the season," he concluded. "Hopefully, we can improve them."

Any changes approved at the final meeting on 20 April could be fast-tracked for implementation at Miami on 3 May.