Formula 1 driver Oliver Bearman caused a moment of shock at the Japanese Grand Prix – but was not seriously injured in his accident. Nevertheless, there is now discussion, including about the new technology.
The Haas team driver lost control of his car on the 22nd lap and hit the side of the track at high speed. He then left the scene of the accident limping and with his face contorted in pain.
However, at the track hospital, X-rays showed Bearman had no fractures or serious injuries. Measurements showed that the 20-year-old Briton was exposed to extreme acceleration forces during the crash. “That was scary”said Haas team boss Ayao Komatsu about the accident. “Luckily everything went well”said Bearman himself.
Discussions about additional power thanks to the electric component in engines
The event fueled the debates about the new technology regulations, in which the additional power due to the higher electric content of the engine plays a major role. So Bearman came close to Franco Colapinto in the Alpine, who was driving in front of him, with an enormous excess of speed. “It’s really strange. It’s a corner that we’re taking completely and he was more than 50 kilometers per hour faster than me”Colapinto explained.
World association reacts: Rule changes possible in April
Bearman then noticed the Argentine twitching, tried to evade, went off the track and spun. A new discussion promptly broke out in the paddock about necessary rule adjustments in order to limit the risks of the new guidelines.
The world association FIA reacted two hours after the race with a statement: “Any adjustments, especially in the area of energy management, require careful simulations and detailed analysis.” Since the introduction of the rules, a series of meetings of all those involved in Formula 1 have been planned for April to evaluate possible changes.
Due to the cancellation of the races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, the next World Cup round will not take place until May 3rd in Miami.
