Albon: Mexico FP1 crash not ‘all on Bearman’

Alexander Albon had sidestepped taking responsibility for his crash with Oliver Bearman during FP1 for the Mexico City Grand Prix.

The Williams driver feels Ferrari could have done more to prevent the accident, which ended both their sessions and brought a second red flag of the day.

Bearman, replacing Charles Leclerc for the opening hour of the weekend, was travelling slowly through the fast Turn 7-11 esses section in the middle sector at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez when Albon came through at full tilt on a push lap.

Although the Ferrari could be seen in onboard footage as the 28-year-old approached, Bearman was off the racing line, but arguably not on the optimal side of the track for the situation.

However, Albon, who failed to slow, lost control of his FW46 prior to reaching the Ferrari. This resulted in him hitting the side of the Bearman’s car and hurtling into the barriers.

Despite already being out of control upon contact with the F2 driver, Albon did not solely apportion blame to either party.

“I don’t blame myself, but I don’t think it’s all on Ollie – he could have been told a bit better,” said the Thai driver when reflecting on the incident.

“And of course, also he’s new. The closing speeds in F1 are much higher than in F2, but it’s not his fault.”

Social media was quick to point the finger at Albon, who immediately radioed in to Williams, saying “Idiot” after hitting the barriers.

It is not clear if he was referring to himself of Bearman, but it is evident Albon feels more could have been done on Ferrari’s side to prevent the crash.

Specifically, the Williams driver felt Ferrari left it too late to inform the 19-year-old that a fast car was approaching, whilst arguing that there was no worse place on the circuit the pair could have met.

“I think he got told, listening to the radio, very late that I was coming up behind him,” the two-time podium finisher said.

“He tried his best to speed up into the two or three high-speed corners. We caught each other at exactly the worst moment on the track that you can – I think there was a 100k/ph difference in terms of speed.”