Ollie Bearman and Alex Albon involved in huge crash during practice at the Mexico Grand Prix – with the British teenager labelled an ‘idiot’ by the Williams driver
- The 19-year-old British driver will race for Haas in Formula 1 next season
- Albon hopes to improve on his 16th place at the US GP last weekend
- The drivers are in Mexico as the calendar reaches its decisive races this year
Ollie Bearman’s practice session lasted just 20 minutes when he was hit by Alex Albon in a debris-strewn crash during practice for the Mexican Grand Prix.
The 19-year-old Briton, who will drive for Haas next season, stopped off the racing line on a slow lap to allow Albon’s Williams through the sweeping chicane at Turn 10.
It seems Albon didn’t expect to find the red car where it was, and as he rounded the bend he suffered a blow from oversteer while lifting. He caught Beaman’s crawling car on the left.
Both affected machines were lifted off the track, with the Williams seriously bruised on impact and eventually lodged in the tire wall. The session was red flagged.
Both drivers were uninjured and Bearman rode back as a passenger on the motorcycle that came to pick him up.
Alex Albon collided with Ollie Bearman shortly after the latter started his practice session at the Mexican Grand Prix
Williams team boss James Vowles said Albon lost the car at the apex of the corner
Albon initially labeled Bearman an idiot, although the 19-year-old seemed on track to take an appropriate position
The stewards said they would investigate the incident, which appeared to be based on a misunderstanding.
Abon called Bearman an ‘idiot’ – although that seemed a partial opinion at best, as the Englishman did not stand in his way.
Williams team boss James Vowles said: ‘Frustrated. We need to see what the reasoning behind it was. Alex had to reverse and lost the car at the top.
‘The car doesn’t really get out there. He took off because he saw the other car.
‘As long as the chassis is in order, we will be good for FP2. If the chassis is damaged, that is a little more important in terms of time.’
George Russell collided with the barriers after losing control of his Mercedes during the second practice session
The British driver’s Mercedes suffered significant damage in the collision, resulting in the third regular flag of the day
The pair weren’t the only ones to wreak havoc on their cars on Friday as George Russell, who was top of the leaderboard at the end of the first practice session, crashed heavily into the barriers.
The British driver was taken to the medical center after losing control of his Mercedes at turn eight after hitting the curb. Russell was able to walk away from the vehicle, although he left with his left arm clutched to his stomach.