Max Verstappen says Oliver Bearman\u2019s crash at the Japanese Grand Prix is simply \u201cwhat you get\u201d when the F1 2026 cars enter \u201cmushroom mode.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bearman was taken to the medical centre at Suzuka last weekend after a terrifying accident at Spoon Curve.<\/p>\n
Max Verstappen: 50-60km speed differential with F1 2026 \u2018mushroom mode\u2019<\/p>\n
Want more PlanetF1.com coverage? Add us as a preferred source on Google<\/a> to your favourites list for news you can trust<\/p>\n The Haas driver took to the grass and lost control as he closed quickly on Franco Colapinto\u2019s Alpine, with Bearman seen limping away following a 50G impact with the barrier.<\/p>\n The 20-year-old suffered bruising to his knee but escaped without bone fractures.<\/p>\n The energy demands of the F1 2026 cars, significantly increasing the closing speeds between cars deploying energy and those harvesting, have been widely blamed for the incident.<\/p>\n Analysis: Japanese Grand Prix<\/p>\n Japanese GP conclusions: Dodgeball on wheels, Verstappen\u2019s rampage, Russell\u2019s Norris test<\/a><\/p>\n Kimi Antonelli leads winners and losers as Japanese Grand Prix shifts momentum<\/a><\/p>\n In a statement released shortly after the race in Japan, the FIA acknowledged that the \u201chigh closing speeds\u201d of the 2026 cars had been a contributing factor in Bearman\u2019s accident.<\/p>\n The governing body went on to confirm that \u201ca number of meetings\u201d are scheduled for the April break with a view to refining the regulations.<\/p>\n Verstappen has been a long-term critic of the F1 2026 rules, openly admitting in Japan that his unhappiness with the current regulations could drive him away from Formula 1.<\/p>\n And he has claimed that incidents like Bearman\u2019s are inevitable with the current rules, estimating the difference between cars can be as much as 50-60 kilometres on the straights.<\/p>\n Verstappen said of Bearman\u2019s accident: \u201cIt\u2019s what you get with these things.<\/p>\n \u201cOne guy is completely stuck with no power, basically, and then the other one uses the mushroom mode.<\/p>\n \u201cIt can be 50-60 kilometres difference. Really big.\u201d<\/p>\n Asked if he experienced similar incidents with deployment at Suzuka, he added: \u201cI don\u2019t think so.<\/p>\n \u201cI had a few moments when I boosted past very heavily, but luckily I was already committed to one side.\u201d<\/p>\n Put to him that drivers must reconsider how they approach racing situations given the extreme closing speeds in 2026, Verstappen replied: \u201cYeah, I know. It can be very dangerous.<\/p>\n \u201cIt looks like moving in the braking zone or moving in general, but it also happens when you have that quick acceleration. You can have a big crash.\u201d<\/p>\n Want to be the first to know exclusive information from the F1 paddock? Join our broadcast channel on WhatsApp<\/a> to get the scoop on the latest developments from our team of accredited journalists.<\/p>\n You can also subscribe to the PlanetF1 YouTube channel<\/a> for exclusive features, hear from our paddock journalists with stories from the heart of Formula 1 and much more!<\/p>\n