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Carlos Sainz urges F1 change after distressing 50G Japanese Grand Prix crash warning

Carlos Sainz vented his anger at the FIA and Formula 1 after the new regulations were to blame for Ollie Bearmans huge 50G crash in the Japanese Grand Prix

[Carlos Sainz]

Carlos Sainz hit out at the FIA and Formula 1

Carlos Sainz hit out at the FIA and Formula 1 for ignoring drivers concerns about the new 2026 regulations that caused Ollie Bearmans massive 50G crash in the Japanese Grand Prix.

The Haas driver suffered a major impact after crashing into the barrier at Spoon Curve around Suzuka. Bearman was forced to take evasive action onto the grass to avoid shunting into the back of Franco Colapintos Alpine.

Bearman arrived behind the Alpine gaining speed, but due to the new regulations surrounding battery deployment and recharge, Colapinto was slowing on the straight before the corner. Bearmans trust in the regulations and cars was not rewarded as he lost control on the grass and slammed into the barriers sideways.

[Ollie Bearman]

Ollie Bearman needed medical assistance after a huge crash

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The Brit limped out of the car and required medical assistance before being taken to the medical centre for X-rays. Bearman thankfully didnt suffer any fractures to his leg or ankle, but did suffer a right knee contusion.

Despite being left sore, Bearmans injuries are light compared to the damage he could have sustained. And Williams driver Sainz, who is also a director of the Grand Prix Drivers Association, hit out at the cause of Bearmans crash

Speaking to Sky Sports post-race, Sainz vented: Im excited to see what FOM and FIA come up for the new regulations. I am hopeful they will come up something a bit better for Miami.

[Ollie Bearman]

Ollie Bearman suffered a 50G crash at Suzuka

Given the fact that the accident with Ollie that we saw today, weve been warning them about this kind of [thing] happening, this kind of closing speeds and these kind of accidents were always going to happen.

Im not very happy with what weve had up until now and hopefully we come up with a better solution that doesnt create these massive closing speeds and a safer way of going racing.

Sainz said that drivers had previously warned the FIA and F1 about the dangers the new regulations posed in that exact circumstance.

The Spaniard added: I was so surprised when they said no, we will sort out qualifying and leave the racing alone because its exciting. As drivers, weve been extremely vocal that the problem is not only qualifying, its also racing.

Weve been warning that this kind of accident was always going to happen. Here we were lucky there was an escape road. Now imagine going to Baku or going to Singapore or going to Vegas and having these kind of closing speeds and crashes next to the walls.

We, as the GPDA, weve warned the FIA these actions are going to happen a lot with this set of regulations and we need to change something soon if we dont want them to happen.

It was 50G, I heard, its higher than my crash in Russia in 2015, I was 46G. Just imagine what kind of crash you could have in a Vegas, Baku et cetera. I hope it serves as an example and the teams listen to the drivers and not so much to the teams and people that said the racing was okay, because the racing is not okay.

F1 has a month until the next race in Miami on the first weekend of May after to the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grand Prix due to the conflict in the Middle East.

It remains to be seen whether any changes will be made to accommodate driver concerns in the month break.

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