Colapinto unpacks 'really odd' sequence behind Bearman’s shocking crash

Alongside Kimi Antonelli’s victory, one of the major talking points at Suzuka on Sunday was the heavy crash in the early stages of the race, involving the Haas driver.

In an attempt to avoid the Argentine, who had suddenly lost power due to a battery issue, he was forced onto the grass, lost control of the car and slammed into the barriers at very high speed, emerging from the cockpit limping.

Speaking to the media after the race, Franco Colapinto struggled to understand how such an incident occurred: “It was really strange, to be honest. The speed difference is so big and so large, it's almost like you're in an outlap and another guy is in a push lap. It's really odd, it's a corner that we are doing flat and it was more than than 58 week at the moment, so it's very strange.”

I think it gets really sketchy when the straights are not straight and he's turning because we are not on a straight line, we are kind of turning. Once I look in the mirror he was spinning in the grass but even spinning he overtook me so imagine the speed difference.I think at some points it becomes really dangerous. I'm glad he's okay. I saw him walking in the paddock and it seems fine.”

Asked whether he had spoken to Oliver Bearman, the Argentine added that he had not had the chance to do so, but was glad that everything was okay.

Speaking after the race, he explained that the incident was triggered by a massive overspeed of around 50 kph, something linked to the new regulations that drivers are still adapting to. He also felt he wasn’t given enough room despite the speed difference he was carrying.

Bearman added that the topic had already been discussed on Friday with fellow drivers and the stewards, highlighting the need for greater awareness and a more cautious approach given the extreme speed differentials. He noted that drivers had already warned the FIA about the risks, describing the crash as an unfortunate consequence of a level of speed delta never seen before in Formula 1 prior to the latest regulations.