Oliver Bearman has publicly placed full responsibility on Alpine driver Franco Colapinto for a heavy accident he suffered during the Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix.
The collision occurred on lap 22 of the 53-lap race at Suzuka.
According to Bearman, the incident was triggered while Colapinto was harvesting energy, which created a speed differential of nearly 50km/h.
Oliver Bearman has publicly placed full responsibility on Alpine driver Franco Colapinto for a heavy accident he suffered during the Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix. The Haas driver spoke about the incident for the first time on April 16, 2026, during an interview with the Up to Speed podcast.
The collision occurred on lap 22 of the 53-lap race at Suzuka. Bearman had been running approximately one second behind Colapinto through the second sector of the circuit before a significant change in speed led to the crash.
According to Bearman, the incident was triggered while Colapinto was harvesting energy, which created a speed differential of nearly 50km/h. As Bearman approached the Spoon Curve, he found himself closing in rapidly on the Alpine.
Bearman alleged that Colapinto moved to the left to defend his 17th position, leaving the Haas driver with insufficient room. To avoid a more severe collision, Bearman took avoiding action by moving onto the grass, which caused him to lose control of the vehicle.
The resulting impact at Spoon was recorded at 50G, with Bearman hitting the barriers at a speed of 191mph. Despite the severity of the shunt and the need for assistance to exit the car, Bearman was cleared of any major injuries after visiting the medical centre.
Controversy Over 2026 Energy Regulations
The accident has intensified a broader debate regarding the 2026 energy management regulations in Formula 1. Bearman described the massive speed delta between the two cars as an unfortunate consequence of these regulations.
Bearman argued that while a defensive move by Colapinto might have been acceptable in previous seasons with a speed difference of only 5 or 10km/h, the current 50km/h differential makes such movements dangerous.
Franco moved across in front of me to defend his position. Last year would have been absolutely on the limit but probably OK with just a 5 or 10 kph speed delta. But with 50 kph, he did not leave me enough space and I had to avoid a much bigger crash.
Franco Colapinto Onboard Of Bearman Crash During Japanese Grand Prix 2026
Oliver Bearman
The shunt has led several drivers to voice safety concerns over the closing speeds associated with the new power units. In response, the FIA has issued a statement confirming that a review into the new regulations will take place.
Technical details of the energy harvesting system include flashing red lights at the rear of the car to warn following drivers when a car is losing speed to recharge. However, broadcaster and race driver Alex Brundle noted that an issue with the red lights display left Bearman unable to react to Colapinto’s deceleration.
Conflicting Perspectives on Responsibility
Despite Bearman’s claims that Colapinto’s move was unacceptable, not everyone in the paddock agrees on who was at fault. Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu has absolved the Argentine driver of responsibility for the crash.
The FIA stewards also opted against issuing a penalty to Colapinto following the incident. This decision was met with surprise by 1997 F1 champion Jacques Villeneuve, who believes the Alpine driver should have been punished.
I was surprised that nothing was done to Colapinto, because this is what you don’t want to see… I don’t understand what Colapinto was thinking, moving at such a slow speed in such a dangerous place.
Jacques Villeneuve
Villeneuve asserted that Bearman had no way to avoid the collision, citing the danger of moving in a high-risk corner while regenerating energy.
The incident highlights a recurring theme in the early stages of the season, as drivers continue to navigate the volatility of the 2026 technical regulations and the resulting speed differentials on track.
