In case you missed it, Oliver Bearman was involved in a serious crash during the Japan Grand Prix weekend at the Suzuka Circuit.
What happened, you ask? On lap 22, heading into the fast and tricky Spoon Curve, Bearman ran into a sudden closing speed issue. Franco Colapinto was harvesting energy (slowing down a bit), while Bearman was using his battery (speeding up), which created a huge speed difference between the two cars.
With little time to react, Bearman was forced to take evasive action. He turned left, ran through the brake sign boards, and crashed hard into the barriers in the runway. The video of the incident has gone viral.
A yellow flag was immediately raised as officers rushed to the scene. Fortunately, Bearman was able to get out of the car on his own, although he was limping. He was examined by medical personnel and taken to a circulating medical center, where X-rays ruled out serious injuries. He suffered injuries to his right knee.
This is when Bearman ran into the barriers at Spoon #F1 #GPGP pic.twitter.com/XmurXApWkp
– Formula 1 (@F1) March 29, 2026
Speaking after the race, Bearman said, “It was a scary time out there, but everything is fine, which is the main thing. Adrenaline is running low, so it will be a long journey home. The car is worse for wear, but now we have a month to reset (before the Miami Grand Prix on May 4), but I can only apologize to the team.
they pack #F1Today, with a strong crossing of the battery, misfortune can happen.
Oli̇ver Bearman is almost speechless.
Thank you Agenda 2030, you are going with everything. pic.twitter.com/W1u9hrSf1J
— 𝐫𝐶𝓕𝔸𝐭𝔯𝕖𝔧Ø (@rafatrej0) March 29, 2026
Carlos Sainz was unhappy following Bearman’s crash. Speaking to Sky Sports FI, he said, “I hope that we will come up with something better for Miami, due to the fact that the accident that we saw today, we have been warning them (FIA) about this kind of thing that happens. With these kinds of closing speeds, and this kind of accident was always going to happen, and I am not very happy with what we have had so far.”
“As the GPDA (Grand Prix Drivers Association), we have warned the FIA that these accidents will happen with these regulations, and we need to change something soon if we don’t want them to happen. It was 50G, my accident in Russia 2015 was 46G, so imagine what kind of accident you would have in Vegas or Baku.”
Carlos Sainz on Ollie Bearman’s crash:
“Bearman’s accident was only a matter of time. I hope F1 will reconsider, this rule has loopholes.”
pic.twitter.com/uSmTqkCRSs
— MV33Racing🏎 (@MV33Racing) March 29, 2026
The fans also expressed their anger. One wrote, “Too dangerous for drivers.” Another said: “It’s not Francos or Ollies fault. It’s @fia #f1 putting the drivers at risk with those speed differences when charging the battery.” “The laws need to be changed… this could be worse,” wrote a fan, while another added, “You’re going to kill the driver. @fia.”
Kimi Antonelli won the Japanese Grand Prix. The Miami Grand Prix is scheduled for May 1-3, taking place near the Miami Dolphins stadium.
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