The dramatic crash involving Ollie Bearman during Sunday’s Japanese Grand Prix could represent a turning point for Formula 1, potentially marking the moment beyond which it is no longer possible to ignore the need to revise the new technical regulations that have already raised significant concerns, particularly among drivers.
Moments of fear
The dynamics of the Haas driver’s accident, forced to “avoid” the car of Franco Colapinto after it suddenly slowed down on the racing line to recover energy, highlighted an issue that drivers have been pointing out for some time. The danger stems from the different energy recovery strategies, which often force drivers to harvest energy at different moments, even when they would prefer not to.
This creates extreme speed differentials between cars, especially in narrow and high-speed sections of circuits. These conditions can trigger dramatic “side effects,” such as the frightening incident witnessed at Suzuka.
The situation once again underlines a structural problem within the current Formula 1 regulations, where energy management is no longer just a performance factor but a critical safety concern that can directly impact racing conditions.
Damon Hill’s warning
Concerns about this new direction in Formula 1 are not limited to the drivers currently competing on track. Former drivers, who fully understand the risks associated with high-speed racing, have also voiced their worries.
1996 world champion Damon Hill, who raced alongside Ayrton Senna at Williams in 1994 when the Brazilian tragically lost his life at Imola on May 1 of that year, issued a clear warning through his X profile regarding the risks facing the sport.
“I think there is a safety problem,” Hill stated while sharing the FIA’s communication about potential regulatory changes. “Having cars suddenly slowing down while traveling at high speed is extremely dangerous.”
Beyond the debate about the quality of the on-track spectacle, the hope is that decision-makers within Formula 1 will fully understand the importance of this warning. Driver safety must always remain the top priority in any regulatory decision, and at the moment, there is a growing perception that this fundamental principle is no longer being fully respected.
The Bearman-Colapinto incident has therefore exposed a structural flaw in the 2026 hybrid deployment strategy. Based on Damon Hill’s intervention, the “wait and see” approach is no longer an option for the FIA. The sport’s credibility depends on ensuring that “extreme danger” isn’t a baked-in feature of the regulations.
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