FIA release statement after Bearman crash at Japanese GP
29th March 2026The FIA has released a statement following Oliver Bearman’s crash at the Japanese Grand Prix, in which the Haas driver was injured.
Feature image credit: FIA
The first month of the 2026 season has been completed, following the conclusion of the Japanese Grand Prix, won by Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli, who now leads the championship as the sport’s youngest-ever championship leader.
However, the season has come under scrutiny over the new regulations, which came into force this season.
This weekend, the FIA and F1 made adjustments to qualifying following the Australian and Chinese Grand Prix. The officials made changes parameters surrounding the maximum permitted energy recharge for qualifying, dropping it from 9MJ to 8MJ.
Following the accident involving Oliver Bearman at the Japanese Grand Prix and the contribution of high closing speeds in the accident, the FIA would like to provide the following clarifications.#FIA #F1 #JapaneseGP pic.twitter.com/STFLrtkT9x
— FIA (@fia) March 29, 2026
However, following the race, the FIA released a statement relating to ‘Oliver Bearman at the Japanese Grand Prix and the contribution of high closing speeds in the accident.’ In their official statement, they said:
“Since their introduction, the 2026 regulations have been the subject of ongoing discussions between the FIA, Teams, Power Unit Manufacturers, Drivers and FOM [Formula One Management].
“By design, these regulations include a number of adjustable parameters, particularly in relation to energy management, which allow for optimisation based on real-world data.
“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 data to be gathered and analysed.
“A number of meetings are therefore scheduled in April to assess the operation of the new regulations and to determine whether any refinements are required.”
During the Japanese GP, Alpine’s Franco Colapinto slowed as he approached the Spoon Curve, seemingly to harvest energy to his Alpine car, whilst Bearman was fast approaching from behind.
The Haas driver was forced to take evasive action and went off track, onto grass, where he quickly lost control of his car and slid into the barrier at 50G, causing a knee contusion as a result.
The decision to have meetings in April makes sense as there are no Formula 1 races next month. This comes after F1 and the FIA cancelled the upcoming Bahrain and Saudi Arabian race weekends due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Meaning, if any changes are set to be made, they can be made ahead of the next F1 race in Miami, on May 1-3.
Oliver Bearman suffers ‘knee contusion’ after 50G Japanese GP impact
However, the FIA confirmed there will be no immediate change to the parameters at this current moment in time. Claiming the decision to make such a move would be ‘premature.’
“Any potential adjustments, particularly those related to energy management, require careful simulation and detailed analysis,” the Governing Body continued. “The FIA will continue to work in close and constructive collaboration with all stakeholders to ensure the best possible outcome for the sport and safety will always remain a core element of the FIA’s mission.
“At this stage, any speculation regarding the nature of potential changes would be premature. Further updates will be communicated in due course.”
Read more Formula 1 here:
- Who finished where at 2026 Japanese Grand Prix?
- Oliver Bearman suffers ‘knee contusion’ after 50G Japanese GP impact
- Antonelli becomes youngest F1 leader with Japanese Grand Prix win
- Alexander Albon avoids punishment for causing collision at Japan GP
- George Russell pips Kimi Antonelli in Japanese GP FP1
- Japan Grand Prix Preview: Mercedes look to extend dominance in Suzuka
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Hi, I’m Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion.
I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I’ve loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.
Kamron Kent
Hi, I'm Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion. I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I've loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.
