FIA reiterates it will review F1 regulations after Bearman's crash
British Formula One driver Oliver Bearman of team Haas drives during the 3rd practice ahead of the 2026 Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix. George Hitchens/SOPA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa Governing motorsport body FIA has reiterated after Oliver Bearman's controversial crash at the Japanese Grand Prix that it will review its new Formula One regulations. "It has been the consistent position of all stakeholders that a structured review would take place after the opening phase of the season, to allow for sufficient date to be gathered and analysed," FIA said in a statement after Sunday's race.
Due to the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabia races, the next Grand Prix is in Miami on May 3, giving the FIA time to make any potential changes. The new set of rules introduced for the 2026 season allows drivers to choose when to charge and deploy power. They can charge their batteries under breaking and once that's done, they can unleash that power at will to increase their top speed, for example, to overtake cars ahead of them.
However, several drivers' have warned about the differences in top speed between the cars. Bearman endured a 50G impact according to his Haas team, in what was a result of dangerous closing speeds caused by the car ahead - the Alpine of Franco Colapinto - suddenly running out of power. Bearman approached Colapinto seemingly 50 kilometres per hour faster on the run and had to quickly swerve to the left before going into the wall.
He avoided a serious injury and only suffered a knee contusion. “First of all, everything is fine and I’m good,” Bearman said in a team statement. “It was a scary moment out there but everything is okay, which is the main thing.
The adrenaline is wearing off a bit so it’s going to be a long trip home, but I’m absolutely fine. “The car is a bit worse for wear. I can only apologise to the team because it’s a lot of work.