FIA Regulations Under Fire After Bearman's High-Speed Suzuka Crash
Carlos Sainz has directly blamed the FIA's new Formula 1 rules for Oliver Bearman's dramatic crash at the Japanese Grand Prix, issuing a stark warning about safety ahead of the Miami Grand Prix. The Haas driver lost control at Suzuka on Sunday, spinning violently before hitting a barrier with a force measured at 50G.
Bearman's Terrifying Impact and Immediate Aftermath
The 20-year-old British driver immediately signaled for assistance before exiting his damaged car and collapsing beside the track while clutching his leg. Bearman was transported to the medical centre where X-rays confirmed he had avoided bone fractures, though Haas confirmed he sustained a significant knee contusion from the massive impact.
Sainz told Sky Sports: "Given the accident with Oli that we saw today, we've been warning them about this kind of thing happening. These kinds of closing speeds and accidents were always going to happen. I'm not very happy with what we've had up until now."
Drivers' Warnings About Circuit Dangers
The Ferrari driver emphasized that Formula 1 drivers have repeatedly cautioned officials about the risks posed by the 2026 regulations, particularly on high-speed circuits with limited runoff areas. Sainz highlighted how Bearman's crash could have been far more severe at other venues on the calendar.
"We were lucky there was an escape road at Suzuka," Sainz explained. "Now imagine going to Baku or Singapore or Vegas and having these kinds of closing speeds and crashes next to the walls. We, as the GPDA, have warned the FIA these incidents are going to happen frequently with this set of regulations."
Sainz referenced his own 46G crash in Russia in 2015 to contextualize the severity of Bearman's impact, stating: "It was 50G, I heard - higher than my crash in Russia. Just imagine what kind of crash you could have in Vegas or Baku. I hope this serves as an example and that teams listen to the drivers."
FIA Announces Regulatory Review Process
In response to growing concerns, the FIA released a statement confirming that a series of meetings will be held in April to assess the 2026 regulations. The governing body acknowledged that the rules "include a number of adjustable parameters, particularly in relation to energy management" that allow for optimization based on real-world data.
The statement continued: "It has been the consistent position of all stakeholders that a structured review would take place after the opening phase of the season. Any potential adjustments require careful simulation and detailed analysis. Safety will always remain a core element of the FIA's mission."
Race Results and Calendar Implications
Meanwhile, Mercedes prodigy Kimi Antonelli became the youngest driver ever to lead the Formula 1 standings at just 19 years and 216 days old following his victory at Suzuka. The Italian secured his second consecutive win after triumphing at the Chinese Grand Prix earlier this month, finishing 13.722 seconds clear of McLaren's Oscar Piastri.
Ferrari's Charles Leclerc completed the podium after an intense battle with George Russell. The Formula 1 calendar now moves directly to the Miami Grand Prix on May 3rd, with April's scheduled races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia cancelled due to ongoing Middle East conflicts.
Sainz concluded with a pointed message about the upcoming Miami event: "I'm hopeful they will come up with something better for Miami. We need to change something soon if we don't want these accidents to keep happening."
