(Motorsport-Total.com) – Is everything okay again between Oliver Bearman and Franco Colapinto after their accident in Suzuka? There still seems to be a bit of a need for clarification between the two, as Bearman had spoken critically about the Argentinian during the long spring break and described his behavior as unacceptable.
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The Haas driver had also said that he had not spoken to Colapinto since the incident. However, before the Formula 1 race in Miami, the latter now says that he contacted Bearman – who just never replied: “I sent him a message immediately after the race,” emphasizes Colapinto.
“He never replied, so he didn’t talk to me. However, I sought the conversation with him.”
He says he is “of course not happy” about his colleague’s comments, but the Alpine driver does not want to add fuel to the fire: “I have already commented on it. I think the most important thing is that he was okay. I won’t comment on it much further,” he waves off.
“What I am happiest about is that he is okay and nothing bad happened,” he says, shifting the focus to the topics of higher safety and personal responsibility. Because according to him, Bearman is at least partly to blame.
“When such things happen, in my opinion the driver behind has full knowledge of the speed he is traveling at. Of the amount of boost he is using. Of what he is trying,” he says. “The person in front is, I think, much more flying blind.”
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“Nowadays, at these closing speeds, you look in the mirror one second, and the next second the car has gained 20 meters on you. I do think both bear responsibility,” says the Argentinian.
“I’m just saying that at no point in that moment or in that corner did I move aggressively in a way that would have caused his incident or crash. I’m just glad he is okay.” And: “Hopefully we can clear this up soon.”
When asked about Colapinto’s statements and the sent message, Bearman replies: “Honestly, I didn’t see any text message.”
But he also emphasizes that he holds no grudge against his colleague: “I’m not that kind of person,” he says, but also stresses: “I don’t think it had to end like this, let’s put it that way.”
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