But should a problem created by F1\u2019s technical rules only be solved through further changes to the cars? Or does F1 need to go further and look at how to improve safety by changing its tracks and racing guidelines?<\/p>\n
Change the tracks?<\/p>\n
Areas with high top speeds also present the greatest risk of the situation which caught Bearman out, when he caught Franco Colapinto<\/a> ahead of him more quickly than expected. The risk is arguably highest in flat-out kinks such as the right-hander before Spoon curve where Bearman went off.<\/p>\n Slowing these corners by inserting chicanes could create a double benefit: reducing speeds at the most dangerous parts on the circuit and creating another opportunity for energy generation, reducing the need for cars to slow down elsewhere.<\/p>\n Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and go ad-free<\/a><\/p>\n In-season changes to multiple tracks on safety grounds has happened before, most famously in 1994, in response to the deaths of Ayrton Senna<\/a> and Roland Ratzenberger at Imola. The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Silverstone, Spa-Francorchamps, Estoril and Jerez all made significant changes<\/a>, while a chicane was added at the Circuit de Catalunya (pictured top) at the drivers\u2019 insistence.<\/p>\n There are potential drawbacks. Such changes may not be practical at all circuits, and track operators would understandably be unhappy at having to pay for changes caused by a problem rooted in F1\u2019s technical rules. It could also involve ruining some of F1\u2019s most celebrated corners, such as Eau Rouge and Becketts, though some would argue the new regulations will spoil these corners anyway, as was the case at Suzuka.<\/p>\n Change the racing guidelines?<\/p>\n This week Bearman said drivers had discussed the potential dangers arising from the huge speed differences made possible by the new rules and Colapinto had ignored them. The Alpine driver dropped a gear early heading into the corner and moved further away from the racing line than on previous laps<\/a>. <\/p>\n \u201cFranco moved across in front of me to defend his position,\u201d<\/a> said Bearman. \u201cLast year [it] would have been absolutely on the limit, but probably okay, with just 5 or 10 kph speed delta. But with 50kph, he did not leave me enough space and I had to avoid a much, much bigger crash, basically.\u201d<\/p>\n As the stewards chose not to investigate the incident, any driver in Colapinto\u2019s position in future would be justified in doing the same. Should the onus be on the attacking driver to be prepared for that kind of move, or does allowing a driver to move off-line to defend in these circumstances invite the risk of a dangerous aerial crash<\/a>?<\/p>\n Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and go ad-free<\/a><\/p>\n I say<\/p>\n As the fault lies with the technical regulations in the first place, I would prefer to see F1 fix these. I\u2019m no fan of creating rules which prevent drivers making legitimate defensive moves and I especially dislike the idea of forcing tracks to insert chicanes as was considered necessary in 1994.<\/p>\n That said, what does F1 really have to lose? The quality of racing is dismal this year and F1\u2019s most spectacular corners have been ruined by the new power units.<\/p>\n In an ideal world I\u2019d change neither. But F1 is so far from ideal right now it might as well change whatever it needs to avoid the one thing that would make it worse: a foreseeable, avoidable aerial crash which results in injury or worse.<\/p>\n You say<\/p>\n Should F1 limit its fixes to the technical regulations \u2013 or should it be looking at changes to the tracks and racing rules as well? If so, what should it change? <\/p>\n Cast your vote below and have your say in the comments.<\/p>\n Do you agree F1 should make changes to tracks to lessen the dangers of high closing speeds?<\/p>\n \t\tNo opinion (0%) Total Voters: 0<\/p>\n Do you agree F1 should make changes to driving standards guidelines to lessen the dangers of high closing speeds?<\/p>\n \t\tNo opinion (0%) Total Voters: 0<\/p>\n A RaceFans account is required in order to vote. If you do not have one, register an account here<\/a> or read more about registering here<\/a>. When this poll is closed the result will be displayed instead of the voting form.<\/p>\n![\"Damon](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/racefansdotnet-21-07-06-17-01-04-1-470x312.jpg\")
<\/a>Feature: How F1 changed its tracks on safety grounds in 1994<\/a>The shortcomings of F1\u2019s new generation of cars is particularly apparent on tracks with fewer braking zones and longer flat-out sections. These tracks offer less opportunity for power units to regenerate energy, forcing drivers to slow down more in sections they previously tackled at top speed.<\/p>\n![\"Bearman's](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/bearman-470x313.jpg\")
<\/a>Feature: Was Bearman right to question Colapinto\u2019s role in his huge Suzuka crash?<\/a>When Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu absolved Colapinto of responsibility for Bearman\u2019s crash minutes after it happened, and the stewards declined to investigate it, many took that as the end of any debate over whether the Alpine driver contributed to the shunt. However it soon became apparent Bearman did not share his team principal\u2019s view that Colapinto was blameless.<\/p>\n
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