Anthony Davidson says F1’s response to Oliver Bearman’s Suzuka crash could restrict overtaking

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Anthony Davidson has raised concerns that Formula 1’s response to Oliver Bearman’s crash at the Japanese Grand Prix could have an impact on overtaking opportunities.

Bearman, driving for Haas, collided heavily with Alpine’s Franco Colapinto near Turn 13, after a significant difference in speed between their two cars.

The crash came as Bearman was using his boost button for extra power while Colapinto was recharging his battery.

Following the incident, the maximum boost allowed during a race has been reduced to +150kW. The change comes despite drivers still having access to a maximum of +350kW during qualifying and practice sessions.

Anthony Davidson questions whether boost reduction could limit overtaking

Speaking on the Sky Sports F1 Show, ex-Minardi driver Davidson questioned whether the reduction in boost power would limit overtaking.

In addition, the 47-year-old stated that Colapinto was not necessarily to blame for the Bearman accident.

Davidson explained: “The boost, in the race situation, as we saw with Suzuka with the Bearman and Colapinto incident, going into the Spoon Curve.

“That wasn’t to do with necessarily the Colapinto Alpine slowing down unexpectedly; it was actually because Bearman pressed the Boost button in an area where, to be fair, you wouldn’t expect someone to be pressing the Boost button.

“When you are pressing the Boost button, during the first three races, they were getting full 350kW deployment. So around 470 horsepower if they had enough charge in their battery to deliver that.”

He continued: “So that was what caused this massive 50kph speed differential between two cars. You naturally assume that it was a car in front going too slow but it wasn’t it was a car behind over speeding.