The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile has released an official statement addressing the dramatic crash involving Oliver Bearman during the Japanese Grand Prix, offering clarification on the incident and its wider implications for safety under the 2026 regulations.
The heavy accident occurred on Lap 21 at the iconic Suzuka Circuit, when Bearman made contact with the barriers at the high-speed Spoon Curve. The young Brit had been rapidly closing in on Franco Colapinto, who was managing his energy deployment at the time. With Bearman deploying full battery power and Colapinto harvesting energy, the difference in speed between the two cars became significant — a factor now under increased scrutiny.
As Bearman approached the corner, the closing speed proved too great to manage safely. He clipped a brake marker board before slamming sideways into the barrier in a violent impact measured at approximately 50G. Despite the severity of the crash, Bearman was able to exit the car without assistance, though he was visibly in discomfort, limping and clutching his right leg and ankle.
Medical personnel quickly transported him to the circuit’s medical centre, where precautionary X-rays were conducted. Fortunately, results confirmed that Bearman had not sustained any fractures, with doctors diagnosing only heavy bruising. The incident, however, has reignited concerns about the risks posed by energy deployment differences under the current Formula 1 regulations.
In the aftermath of the race, Carlos Sainz — who also serves as a director of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association — voiced frustration on behalf of the drivers. He suggested that concerns raised about dangerous closing speeds had not been adequately addressed, pointing out that regulatory focus had so far been placed more on qualifying power adjustments rather than race conditions.
Responding to the growing debate, the FIA emphasized that the 2026 ruleset has always been designed with flexibility in mind. In its statement, the governing body explained that various adjustable parameters — particularly those relating to energy management — were intentionally included to allow teams and officials to refine performance and safety based on real-world data gathered during races.
The FIA also reiterated that all stakeholders, including teams, power unit manufacturers, drivers, and Formula One Management, had previously agreed to conduct a structured review of the regulations after the opening phase of the season. This approach, the FIA noted, ensures that any decisions are based on sufficient evidence rather than reactive changes.
To that end, a series of meetings has already been scheduled for April, where key figures across the sport will evaluate how the new regulations are functioning in practice. These discussions are expected to focus heavily on energy deployment strategies and whether they are contributing to potentially unsafe racing scenarios, such as the one seen in Bearman’s crash.
However, the FIA made it clear that immediate changes are unlikely. Any modifications — especially those involving complex systems like energy management — will require thorough simulation and detailed analysis before implementation. The organization cautioned against speculation, stressing that it is too early to determine what specific changes, if any, will be made.
Closing its statement, the FIA reaffirmed its commitment to safety as a fundamental priority. It pledged to continue working collaboratively with all parties involved in the sport to ensure that Formula 1 remains both competitive and secure for drivers.
Further updates are expected following the April review meetings, as the sport evaluates whether Bearman’s frightening accident signals a need for regulatory refinement.