Oliver Bearman has slammed Yuki Tsunoda’s “dangerous” driving that failed to set a good example after the pair clashed during the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix.
Bearman attempted to take seventh down the inside of Turn 15 at Circuit of the Americas on lap 35, but Tsunoda defended by moving to the left under braking.
It caused the Haas driver to take avoidant action by going over the grass before spinning once he rejoined the track, while no action was taken by the stewards.
Bearman eventually finished Sunday’s race in ninth after falling behind Sauber’s Nico Hulkenberg late on, while Tsunoda crossed the line in seventh for Red Bull.
“What he did was quite dangerous, against the spirit of how we should go racing and against the image that we should project to kids,” said Bearman.
“This is not the way we go racing. He was swathing all over the place for a few laps and when I finally did stick my nose in and attempt the move, he moved in reaction, didn’t leave a car’s width and that’s unfair.
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Photo by: Simon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images
“That’s not allowed and that caused me to avoid. It could have caused a huge crash without my quick avoidance so it’s a big shame.”
Bearman reckons he could have finished as high as seventh had the incident not happened and moving under braking being “in a grey area of the regulations” allowed it to occur.
“But moving in the braking zone is not fair, it’s dangerous and it causes big crashes like this. We’ve seen it numerous times,” added the 20-year-old rookie.
He wasn’t totally shocked by the incident as Bearman claimed it was characteristic of Tsunoda, who is fighting for his F1 future given he is 16th in the 2025 championship with five rounds left.
“I feel like he’s driving maybe a little bit desperate and that was shown in his defence today,” said Bearman. “He has this issue with other drivers and he was fighting against Charles [Leclerc], who is not even in the race with him, like why are you defending from him?
“It just seems silly what he’s doing, so it’s just not thinking forward, silly driving in my opinion.”
Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing
Photo by: Zak Mauger / LAT Images via Getty Images
Then when asked if he will speak to Tsunoda, Bearman concluded with: “No, because I don’t think he will change.”
When the matter was put to Tsunoda by Sky Sports F1, the 25-year-old said: “I don’t think I moved under braking.
“It’s just a bit unfortunate how it ended up, especially because we were having a good fight until then. I’m not his team-mate, I’m just fighting for being in the top 10.”
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– The Autosport.com Team
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