Colapinto “Not Happy” With Bearman's Crash Accusations Ahead of Miami GP

A heated exchange erupted as Alpine’s Franco Colapinto responded to Haas rookie Oliver Bearman's accusations over the Suzuka crash. A 45 km/h closing speed sent Bearman into the barrier at Spoon Curve with a 50 g impact, yet the FIA cleared Colapinto, leaving the blame debate unresolved.

Why it matters:

• The 2026 hybrid rules boost closing speeds, making Suzuka‑type crashes a pressing safety issue.
• Driver‑to‑driver trust underpins close racing; public blame can erode that dynamic.

The details:

• Closing speed: 45 km/h (≈28 mph) as Bearman closed on Colapinto in Suzuka’s Sector 2, leading to a 50 g impact at Spoon Curve that damaged the Haas car but left the driver physically unharmed.
• FIA verdict: stewards found no infraction by Colapinto; Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu backed the decision, calling it a racing incident.
• Colapinto’s response: “I’m not happy with his comments. The most important thing is he’s okay. The driver behind knows his speed and boost; the driver ahead is more blind.”
• Bearman’s earlier take: he hinted Colapinto’s slight defensive move helped cause the crash and later said he never saw a reply to his post‑race message, keeping tensions high.

What's next:

• Both will line up again at the Miami GP; Bearman says there are “no grudges,” but the underlying friction remains.
• The FIA may review energy‑deployment and DRS rules ahead of the 2026 package to curb extreme closing differentials.
• Fans and teams will watch whether the dispute alters driver behaviour and safety protocols in the upcoming Miami race.