Former Formula 1 driver and Sky Sports commentator Martin Brundle has called on the FIA to address what he describes as a "fundamentally flawed" power delivery system in the current generation of cars. His comments follow a high-speed crash involving Ferrari reserve driver Ollie Bearman during the Japanese Grand Prix at the Suzuka circuit on April 6, 2026.
Bearman, who was substituting for the unwell Carlos Sainz, lost control of his SF-26 car through the high-speed 130R corner. The incident, which brought out a red flag, was attributed by the team to a sudden and unexpected power surge from the car's hybrid system as Bearman applied the throttle on corner exit.
In his post-race analysis, Brundle stated the complex hybrid power units, which combine internal combustion engines with high-power Energy Recovery Systems (ERS), can deliver torque in a non-linear and unpredictable manner. He argued this characteristic makes the cars exceptionally difficult to control at the limit, especially for drivers less familiar with a specific car's mapping.
The FIA has confirmed it is reviewing data from the incident. A spokesperson stated that safety is the "highest priority" and that the governing body is in discussions with power unit manufacturers to understand the event and assess if any regulatory clarifications are required.
