The FIA will review F1's 2026 technical regulations in April after Oliver Bearman's high-G crash at Suzuka, which drivers blame on dangerous speed differences caused by the new cars' energy management systems. The governing body acknowledges the need to analyze real-world data to potentially refine the rules for safety.
The FIA will review F1's 2026 regulations in April after Oliver Bearman's high-speed crash at Suzuka, which drivers blame on dangerous speed differences caused by the new energy-harvesting rules. The incident has amplified urgent safety calls from drivers, who warn of potential catastrophe on street circuits if changes aren't made swiftly.
Kimi Antonelli leads the F1 standings for Mercedes after Japan, while teammate George Russell rues more bad luck. McLaren, with a strong Oscar Piastri drive, has moved ahead of Ferrari, as Red Bull's chassis struggles continue to hamper Max Verstappen.
Charles Leclerc's brilliant podium drive in Japan was overshadowed by teammate Lewis Hamilton's struggle with a lack of power. Hamilton's public frustration and demands for an explanation from Ferrari highlight a concerning performance disparity within the team, even as boss Frédéric Vasseur targets updates to close the gap to Mercedes.
Franco Colapinto pointed to a dangerous speed difference of over 50 kph as the cause of Oliver Bearman's crash at Suzuka, highlighting a critical safety issue in F1 where energy deployment disparities create unpredictable and hazardous closing speeds on circuit.
Max Verstappen demands F1 alter its energy rules after Oliver Bearman's high-G crash at Suzuka, caused by a dangerous speed difference when one car harvests energy and another deploys it. The Red Bull driver argues a fix is essential for safety, highlighting a known risk drivers have warned about for years.
Haas driver Oliver Bearman says F1 drivers warned the FIA about dangerous speed differentials under new rules before his 50G crash at Suzuka. He escaped with a bruised knee, but the incident confirms a major safety concern that drivers had explicitly predicted, putting pressure on the sport's governing body to respond.
Oscar Piastri hailed his Japanese GP weekend as among his best in F1 after finishing second, praising McLaren's flawless execution while conceding the winning Mercedes of Kimi Antonelli was in a different league after a Safety Car cost him a shot at victory.
Haas rookie Oliver Bearman is unharmed after a heavy 50G crash in Japan, blaming a 50 kph speed differential caused by F1's new rules. He called for drivers to be more prepared for such scenarios, as he and his team look to rebuild for Miami.
Carlos Sainz urges the FIA to implement urgent rule changes after Oliver Bearman's terrifying 50G crash at Suzuka, caused by extreme speed differentials during energy harvesting. The Williams driver and GPDA director warns that without immediate action, similar—and potentially more severe—accidents are inevitable on upcoming street circuits.
Max Verstappen expressed strong frustration with F1's 2026 regulations after the Japanese Grand Prix, where energy management issues left him vulnerable to overtakes and led him to criticize the new battery-based boost system as gimmicky and uncompetitive.
Liam Lawson scored points for the second race in a row, finishing ninth in Japan after a strategic masterstroke under the Safety Car. Despite a difficult car early on and the immense challenge of overtaking at Suzuka, he held off late pressure to secure the result.
