FIA Reiterates Will Review F1 Regulations After Bearman Crash

BERLIN, March 29 (Bernama-dpa) -- Formula 1 ruling body FIA has reiterated after Oliver Bearman's controversial crash at the Japanese Grand Prix that it will review the new sports regulations, German Press Agency (dpa) reported.

"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," the FIA said in a statement after Sunday's race.

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 braking 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 bruises to his knee. 

Grand Prix Drivers’ Association director Carlos Sainz stressed that the incident was exactly what drivers have been warning the FIA would happen.

"That's the problem when you listen only to the teams, that they will think the racing is OK because maybe they're having fun watching it on the TV," the Williams driver said.

Four-time world champion Max Verstappan, who has sharply criticised the new rules, added: "That's what you get with these things, one guy is completely stuck with no power, basically, and then the other one uses the mushroom mode (the power boost mode), and then it can be 50, 60 kph difference. It's really, really big."

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.

-- BERNAMA-dpa