FIA Confirms Review of 2026 F1 Regulations After Ollie Bearman’s Suzuka Crash

The FIA has confirmed it will review Formula 1’s 2026 technical regulations following Ollie Bearman’s high-G crash at the Japanese Grand Prix, which highlighted growing concerns over dangerous speed differences caused by the fresh power unit energy management systems.

The incident occurred during Lap 23 of the Japanese GP when Bearman closed in on Alpine driver Franco Colapinto at Turn 11. As Colapinto’s car entered a harvesting phase after depleting its battery, it slowed dramatically on the racing line. Bearman, still in deployment mode with available electrical power, encountered a significant closing speed difference that left him unable to avoid a collision. He lost control on the grass, slid off the track, and hit the barriers sideways, registering a 50G impact.

Following the crash, the FIA issued a statement acknowledging that “a dramatic difference in closing speeds was the leading cause of the terrifying crash,” directly linking the incident to the way the new 2026 power units require drivers to manage battery harvesting and deployment phases. The governing body confirmed that the unusual driving techniques needed to preserve batteries topped up have resulted in cars slowing abruptly when electrical output disappears, creating hazardous situations when following another car.

In response to mounting criticism from drivers and teams about the 2026 regulations—particularly concerns over excessive dependence on electrical energy and unpredictable power deployment—the FIA has scheduled formal review meetings. These discussions aim to analyze real-world data from the early races of the 2026 season to determine whether refinements are needed to improve both safety and competitiveness.

The FIA emphasized that the review process will focus on understanding how the current regulations affect race dynamics, especially in scenarios where one car is harvesting energy while another is deploying it. The goal is to prevent similar high-speed incidents by addressing the root causes of extreme closing speeds between cars on the track.

While no specific rule changes have been announced yet, the FIA’s confirmation of an upcoming review signals a willingness to adapt the 2026 framework based on feedback from the opening rounds of the season. The outcome of these discussions could lead to adjustments in how energy recovery and deployment are managed to ensure more consistent performance levels across the field.