RacingOliver Bearman says he is fully recovered and ready for Miami, less than three weeks after the Haas driver suffered a 50G crash in the Japanese Grand Prix that threw fresh attention on closing-speed risks under Formula 1’s 2026 rules.
Bearman told Sportbible, in comments about his recovery, that he was already back in the simulator within days of the impact at Suzuka and now feels fine again after the knee injury and bruising he picked up in Japan. “Yeah, I'm all good, thank you for asking, I appreciate it,” Bearman, the Haas driver, told Sportbible in comments about his condition.
The accident came when Bearman was trying to pass Alpine driver Franco Colapinto. According to the reports, Colapinto had been saving energy and ran more slowly into Spoon, while Bearman arrived at full speed and was “caught out by huge closing speeds.” The same reports said the crash confirmed fears from some drivers about the danger created by those speed differences under the new regulations.
Bearman ended up broadside in the barrier after going into the run-off and losing control. The impact measured 50G. According to the reports, he limped away from the car and was diagnosed with a contusion to his right knee and bruising, but no fractures. After attending the medical centre, he did not complete his usual media duties because he received an FIA waiver, according to the reports.
Bearman said the worst part after the crash was getting home. “Obviously after [the crash], I wasn't moving very much,” Bearman, the Haas driver, told Sportbible in comments about the aftermath of the accident. He added: “I had a bit of swelling on the knee, but everything's okay now, luckily, it was the right knee, so I was okay,” Bearman, the Haas driver, told Sportbible in the same comments.
His recovery moved quickly. Bearman said he was back to driving work almost immediately, even with the swelling still fresh. “By Wednesday or Thursday,” Bearman, the Haas driver, told Sportbible when asked when he returned to the simulator, explaining in the same comments that he and his brother were preparing for an endurance race that weekend.
That quick return does not change how hard the crash was. Bearman made that clear himself when he looked back on the impact and what might have followed. “It could have been a lot worse. So very, very thankful and looking forward to getting back out in Miami,” Bearman, the Haas driver, told Sportbible in comments about his return.
For Haas, the immediate update is simple. Bearman says he is fit again, the swelling has gone down, and Miami is next.