Ollie Bearman targeted Franco Colapinto after the clash in Japan: “For me it is unacceptable”
The Englishman complained about the defensive movement of the Argentine from Alpine in the maneuver that ended in the Suzuka accident.
Ollie Bearman had not spoken after his very serious accident at the Japanese GP, the third date of the 2026 Formula 1 year. His limping image after the hard impact of 50 G against the containment barriers at the entrance to the Suzuka Spoon curve went around the world and put the FIA on high alert, which immediately began to analyze the new regulations to make modifications. The pilots had warned from Australia, the baptism of the 77th season, that a serious accident could occur. “It’s not about if it will happen, it’s about when,” Checo Pérez had said. And it happened in Japanese lands when the Englishman from Haas met the Alpine of Franco Colapinto on the straight that leads to Spoonwith a speed difference of 50 km/h. The reason: they were in different energy phases. While Bearman had his battery full, the Argentine was in the process of recharging his Mercedes power unit. Thus, the Briton had to perform a dodging maneuver on Franco, stepped on the grass and ended up crashing.
Colapinto was the target of several attacks in networks of people who considered him responsible for the Bearman accident due to a slight movement he had made to the left with his A526. Almost immediately, Ayao Komatsu, director of the American team, came out at the intersection: “Before that turn 13, Colapinto, he was always doing something constant. It’s not his fault at all.. At that moment, Ollie used the boost button and there was a speed difference of 50 km/h,” the Japanese settled.
The word was missing Bearman, and finally spoke on the Up To Speed podcast and took aim at Colapinto. “It is the first time in history, or at least that I remember in recent times, in which two cars fought for position with such an enormous difference in speed. And that was the unfortunate result of these regulations, but that was a difference of 50 km/h. Franco moved in front of me to defend the position. Last year it would have been absolutely on the limit, but it would probably have been fine because there was a difference of five or ten km/h. But at 50 km/h, it didn’t leave me enough room and I had to avoid a much, much bigger crash. Basically, his move to the left was small, but when there is that much difference in speed any move is huge. “I was very lucky I didn’t hit him because it would have been a lot worse,” Ollie said.
The driver who belongs to Ferrari and who races for Haas continued with his story: “We talked about it on Friday so it makes it even more frustrating. We said to ourselves, “come on, we have to have more respect for each other.” Yes, move to defend your position, but with a little more time because the speed differences are the largest in the history of our sport and two days later that happens. For me it is unacceptable.” In addition, he assured that he did not speak with Colapinto after the accident and explained that it is not about letting himself go. “You shouldn’t leave the door open, but he saw me approaching and moved. Last year it would have been good, but this year he saw me too late. I’m going with such a big difference in speed that at that stage it’s already too late to move. I saw that he looked in the mirror and went to the left, which is not good.”
Bearman suffered a severe blow to his right knee, but had no fractures. Regarding the moment after the crash, he explained: “I just wanted to get out quickly to show my family, who is always watching, that I was fine. Although from the outside it was a strong crash, nothing serious happened and the cars are incredibly safe, which is proof of the work that the FIA is doing. The car did not suffer too much damage for the magnitude of the impact, the chassis is fine and I, in general, am fine,” he concluded.
