{"id":1878208,"date":"2026-04-11T10:30:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-11T07:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1878208"},"modified":"2026-04-11T10:30:00","modified_gmt":"2026-04-11T07:30:00","slug":"martin-brundle-claims-f1-drivers-are-fourth-in-line-amid-safety-concerns","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1878208","title":{"rendered":"Martin Brundle claims F1 drivers are \u2018fourth in line\u2019 amid safety concerns"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404538_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9&#8243;]<\/p>\n<article>\n<header id=\"lbs-article\" class=\"article header article-header section layout layout--article-header\">\n<div class=\"col headline\">\n<div>\n<h1>Martin Brundle claims F1 drivers are \u2018fourth in line\u2019 amid safety concerns<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"summary body\">\n<p>Martin Brundle shares his verdict on current F1 driver safety concerns.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"section two-column\">\n<div class=\"col article-info\">\n<div>\n<address> Lewis Larkam <\/address>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><time datetime=\"2026-04-11T11:30:00+01:00\">11 Apr 2026<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"col article-actions\">\n<div class=\"block block-better-social-sharing-buttons block-social-sharing-buttons-block\">\n<div class=\"social-sharing-buttons\"><span class=\"ssb-title\"> Share<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div id=\"lbs-content\" class=\"content wide-two-column-sticky section layout layout--wide-two-column-sticky\">\n<div class=\"col first-column\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<figure> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404538_hires.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1920w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404538_hires.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404538_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404538_hires.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1500w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404538_hires.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1200w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404538_hires.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 900w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404538_hires.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404538_hires.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404538_hires.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><figcaption>\n<div>Colapinto was narrowly avoided by Bearman<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block block-preferred-source\">\n<div class=\"preferred-source-cta\">  Add as a preferred source <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p>Martin Brundle believes Formula 1 drivers are \u201cfourth in line\u201d when it comes to the priorities of governing body the FIA.<\/p>\n<p>Ollie Bearman\u2019s frightening 191mph crash at the Japanese Grand Prix has brought safety back into the spotlight, highlighting concerns drivers expressed and predicted regarding dramatic closing speed differences as a result of F1\u2019s new power unit rules for 2026.<\/p>\n<p>While Bearman escaped the 50G impact with only bruising to his right knee, drivers have called on F1\u2019s rule-makers to tweak the regulations on safety grounds to avoid further big accidents.<\/p>\n<p>Former F1 driver turned pundit Brundle reckons fans are the \u201ctop priority\u201d when it comes to safety.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt&#8217;s a big issue for the FIA because its driver safety is sacrosanct. I think they&#8217;re fourth in line in terms of priorities,\u201d Brundle told the Sky Sports F1 Show.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>&#8220;The top priority is the fans because they&#8217;re paying to be there. They haven&#8217;t bought into any element of risk, and they have to be protected. Next up are the marshals, the corner workers, because they&#8217;re not being paid to be there, but they assume an element of risk because they&#8217;re trackside.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Next up, for me, are the pitstop crew in terms of priorities. And finally, the drivers. The cars are pretty safe. Everybody&#8217;s health and safety is\u00a0sacrosanct, but the FIA will now have to make a change for Miami because the drivers have voiced this. It&#8217;s very much out there.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-c1a4a7b90bbfd99030d2295c9573af12047c731b0fa81cff0935a82341cddb94\">  What is F1&#8217;s new ADUO rule and why is it so important?   Lewis Hamilton returns to F1 track with Ferrari for crucial Pirelli test <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>&#8220;I would be pretty certain they&#8217;ve put that in writing through the Grand Prix Drivers&#8217; Association as well. So, if a car flies into the crowd now and they haven&#8217;t done something, shown some due diligence on this, then the\u00a0FIA will be in for the high jump.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;So, they will now have to do something and listen to the drivers. But we&#8217;re hamstrung. We&#8217;ve got a motor that turns out three times its electrical power compared to last year, and the battery depletes in any given decent straight.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We&#8217;re between a rock and a hard place really on this because the hardware is just not up to it. And we&#8217;ve talked about this for three years now. We knew it was going to be like this. This is fundamentally flawed, but I think they should be able to smooth some of these elements out.\u201d<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article_2\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-0c098d46611a00f06c5a6d20fe781d6cb293edacbd0bc1b35cfb7f9e2855fb76\">  F1 world champion\u2019s daughter makes her racing debut this weekend   Why Lance Stroll thinks winning is possible on his GT racing debut <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>F1 teams and the FIA committed to making tweaks to address concerns about the 2026 rules in a first technical meeting on Thursday.<\/p>\n<p>A statement issued by the FIA reported \u201cconstructive dialogue\u201d regarding potential changes to the rules and outlined a timeline for decisions to be made.\u00a0<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block block-echobox\">\n<h2>Subscribe to our F1 Newsletter<\/h2>\n<div class=\"info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-info\" id=\"edit-info--2\">\n<p>Get the latest F1 news, exclusives, interviews and promotions from the paddock direct to your inbox<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal--2\">\n<p>For more information see our Privacy Policy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<h2>In this article<\/h2>\n<div>\n<div class=\"field_keywords\">F1<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block block-next-prev\">\n<div class=\"next-prev-pager contextual-region\">\n<div class=\"items\">\n<div class=\"item prev\">\n<h3>  Previous<\/h3>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\"> Max Verstappen\u2019s father Jos reacts to bombshell Gianpiero Lambiase Red Bull F1 exit<\/div>\n<source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/si202603280207.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp 1920w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/si202603280207.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp 1800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/si202603280207.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp 1600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/si202603280207.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp 1500w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/si202603280207.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp 1200w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/si202603280207.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp 900w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/si202603280207.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp 800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/si202603280207.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp 600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/si202603280207.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"item next\">\n<h3> Next <\/h3>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\"> Legendary F1 world champion Mika Hakkinen&#8217;s daughter makes her racing debut this weekend<\/div>\n<source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/ella-hakkinen-02.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp 1920w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/ella-hakkinen-02.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp 1800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/ella-hakkinen-02.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp 1600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/ella-hakkinen-02.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp 1500w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/ella-hakkinen-02.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp 1200w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/ella-hakkinen-02.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp 900w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/ella-hakkinen-02.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp 800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/ella-hakkinen-02.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp 600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/ella-hakkinen-02.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-author-block block block-configurable-views-block\">\n<div class=\"author-view grid-view js-view-dom-id-58b510d28b8470b8f82652babfc21b411a9b6a5af88bd4c8f86673bb598efdae\">\n<div class=\"card user default\">\n<div class=\"image\"> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/pictures\/1bc46a82-ac76-40ea-9cf5-d309b802b0ef_1.jpeg?height=270&amp;format=webp 270w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/pictures\/1bc46a82-ac76-40ea-9cf5-d309b802b0ef_1.jpeg?height=180&amp;format=webp 180w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/pictures\/1bc46a82-ac76-40ea-9cf5-d309b802b0ef_1.jpeg?height=90&amp;format=webp 90w\" sizes=\"100px\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"info\">\n<div class=\"header\">\n<div class=\"text\">\n<div class=\"name\">Lewis Larkam<\/div>\n<div class=\"role\">F1 Editor<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"desc\">\n<p>Lewis regularly attends Grands Prix for Crash.net around the world. Often reporting on the action from the ground, Lewis tells the stories of the people who matter in the sport.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"views-element-container block block-views-blockrelated-content-related-content-block\">\n<h3>More News<\/h3>\n<div class=\"grid-view grid-2 js-view-dom-id-3ff4eb762247da2be8d79fca568f7343110d8ea7ea795cf16ae6653e26f69301\">\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Why Max Verstappen is not racing in NLS3 this weekend<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1775817830\"> 23h ago<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404374_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, 2026 Japanese GP\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Max Verstappen\u2019s father reacts to bombshell Gianpiero Lambiase exit<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1775811794\"> 10\/04\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/si202603280207.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Lambiase has been an ever-present at Verstappen's side at Red Bull\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>How Max Verstappen\u2019s F1 race engineer will fit in at McLaren<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1775809740\"> 10\/04\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1399065_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Lambiase will complete a shock switch from Red Bull to F1 rival McLaren\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  Feature <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The biggest winners and losers from F1\u2019s surprise five-week break<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1775806200\"> 10\/04\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/2268868295.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"The start of the 2026 Japanese Grand Prix \" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Revealed: What happened in first F1 rule change meeting<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1775756508\"> 09\/04\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/a260634_medium.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"F1's 2026 rules have divided fans and drivers alike\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  Feature <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Why Lambiase isn&#8217;t the only ace McLaren could play to lure Verstappen<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1775748723\"> 09\/04\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/si202512070361.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Could Brown tempt Verstappen to join McLaren? \" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"col second-column\">\n<div class=\"sticky\">\n<div class=\"block block-echobox\">\n<h2>Subscribe to our F1 Newsletter<\/h2>\n<div class=\"info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-info\" id=\"edit-info\">\n<p>Get the latest F1 news, exclusives, interviews and promotions from the paddock direct to your inbox<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal\">\n<p>For more information see our Privacy Policy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"summary body\">\n<p>Martin Brundle shares his verdict on current F1 driver safety concerns.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p>Martin Brundle believes Formula 1 drivers are \u201cfourth in line\u201d when it comes to the priorities of governing body the FIA.<\/p>\n<p>Ollie Bearman\u2019s frightening 191mph crash at the Japanese Grand Prix has brought safety back into the spotlight, highlighting concerns drivers expressed and predicted regarding dramatic closing speed differences as a result of F1\u2019s new power unit rules for 2026.<\/p>\n<p>While Bearman escaped the 50G impact with only bruising to his right knee, drivers have called on F1\u2019s rule-makers to tweak the regulations on safety grounds to avoid further big accidents.<\/p>\n<p>Former F1 driver turned pundit Brundle reckons fans are the \u201ctop priority\u201d when it comes to safety.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt&#8217;s a big issue for the FIA because its driver safety is sacrosanct. I think they&#8217;re fourth in line in terms of priorities,\u201d Brundle told the Sky Sports F1 Show.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>&#8220;The top priority is the fans because they&#8217;re paying to be there. They haven&#8217;t bought into any element of risk, and they have to be protected. Next up are the marshals, the corner workers, because they&#8217;re not being paid to be there, but they assume an element of risk because they&#8217;re trackside.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Next up, for me, are the pitstop crew in terms of priorities. And finally, the drivers. The cars are pretty safe. Everybody&#8217;s health and safety is\u00a0sacrosanct, but the FIA will now have to make a change for Miami because the drivers have voiced this. It&#8217;s very much out there.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-c1a4a7b90bbfd99030d2295c9573af12047c731b0fa81cff0935a82341cddb94\">  What is F1&#8217;s new ADUO rule and why is it so important?   Lewis Hamilton returns to F1 track with Ferrari for crucial Pirelli test <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>&#8220;I would be pretty certain they&#8217;ve put that in writing through the Grand Prix Drivers&#8217; Association as well. So, if a car flies into the crowd now and they haven&#8217;t done something, shown some due diligence on this, then the\u00a0FIA will be in for the high jump.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;So, they will now have to do something and listen to the drivers. But we&#8217;re hamstrung. We&#8217;ve got a motor that turns out three times its electrical power compared to last year, and the battery depletes in any given decent straight.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We&#8217;re between a rock and a hard place really on this because the hardware is just not up to it. And we&#8217;ve talked about this for three years now. We knew it was going to be like this. This is fundamentally flawed, but I think they should be able to smooth some of these elements out.\u201d<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article_2\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-0c098d46611a00f06c5a6d20fe781d6cb293edacbd0bc1b35cfb7f9e2855fb76\">  F1 world champion\u2019s daughter makes her racing debut this weekend   Why Lance Stroll thinks winning is possible on his GT racing debut <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>F1 teams and the FIA committed to making tweaks to address concerns about the 2026 rules in a first technical meeting on Thursday.<\/p>\n<p>A statement issued by the FIA reported \u201cconstructive dialogue\u201d regarding potential changes to the rules and outlined a timeline for decisions to be made.\u00a0<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block block-echobox\">\n<h2>Subscribe to our F1 Newsletter<\/h2>\n<div class=\"info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-info\" id=\"edit-info--2\">\n<p>Get the latest F1 news, exclusives, interviews and promotions from the paddock direct to your inbox<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal--2\">\n<p>For more information see our Privacy Policy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p>Martin Brundle believes Formula 1 drivers are \u201cfourth in line\u201d when it comes to the priorities of governing body the FIA.<\/p>\n<p>Ollie Bearman\u2019s frightening 191mph crash at the Japanese Grand Prix has brought safety back into the spotlight, highlighting concerns drivers expressed and predicted regarding dramatic closing speed differences as a result of F1\u2019s new power unit rules for 2026.<\/p>\n<p>While Bearman escaped the 50G impact with only bruising to his right knee, drivers have called on F1\u2019s rule-makers to tweak the regulations on safety grounds to avoid further big accidents.<\/p>\n<p>Former F1 driver turned pundit Brundle reckons fans are the \u201ctop priority\u201d when it comes to safety.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt&#8217;s a big issue for the FIA because its driver safety is sacrosanct. I think they&#8217;re fourth in line in terms of priorities,\u201d Brundle told the Sky Sports F1 Show.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>&#8220;The top priority is the fans because they&#8217;re paying to be there. They haven&#8217;t bought into any element of risk, and they have to be protected. Next up are the marshals, the corner workers, because they&#8217;re not being paid to be there, but they assume an element of risk because they&#8217;re trackside.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Next up, for me, are the pitstop crew in terms of priorities. And finally, the drivers. The cars are pretty safe. Everybody&#8217;s health and safety is\u00a0sacrosanct, but the FIA will now have to make a change for Miami because the drivers have voiced this. It&#8217;s very much out there.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-c1a4a7b90bbfd99030d2295c9573af12047c731b0fa81cff0935a82341cddb94\">  What is F1&#8217;s new ADUO rule and why is it so important?   Lewis Hamilton returns to F1 track with Ferrari for crucial Pirelli test <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>&#8220;I would be pretty certain they&#8217;ve put that in writing through the Grand Prix Drivers&#8217; Association as well. So, if a car flies into the crowd now and they haven&#8217;t done something, shown some due diligence on this, then the\u00a0FIA will be in for the high jump.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;So, they will now have to do something and listen to the drivers. But we&#8217;re hamstrung. We&#8217;ve got a motor that turns out three times its electrical power compared to last year, and the battery depletes in any given decent straight.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We&#8217;re between a rock and a hard place really on this because the hardware is just not up to it. And we&#8217;ve talked about this for three years now. We knew it was going to be like this. This is fundamentally flawed, but I think they should be able to smooth some of these elements out.\u201d<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article_2\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-0c098d46611a00f06c5a6d20fe781d6cb293edacbd0bc1b35cfb7f9e2855fb76\">  F1 world champion\u2019s daughter makes her racing debut this weekend   Why Lance Stroll thinks winning is possible on his GT racing debut <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>F1 teams and the FIA committed to making tweaks to address concerns about the 2026 rules in a first technical meeting on Thursday.<\/p>\n<p>A statement issued by the FIA reported \u201cconstructive dialogue\u201d regarding potential changes to the rules and outlined a timeline for decisions to be made.\u00a0<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block block-echobox\">\n<h2>Subscribe to our F1 Newsletter<\/h2>\n<div class=\"info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-info\" id=\"edit-info--2\">\n<p>Get the latest F1 news, exclusives, interviews and promotions from the paddock direct to your inbox<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal--2\">\n<p>For more information see our Privacy Policy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;http:\/\/crash.net\/f1\/news\/1092954\/1\/martin-brundle-claims-f1-drivers-are-fourth-line-amid-safety-concerns&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404538_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9&#8243;] Martin Brundle claims F1 drivers are \u2018fourth in line\u2019 amid safety concerns Martin Brundle shares his verdict on current F1 driver safety concerns. Lewis Larkam 11 Apr 2026 Share Colapinto was narrowly avoided by Bearman Add as a preferred source Martin Brundle believes Formula 1 drivers are \u201cfourth in line\u201d when it [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[47,226],"class_list":["post-1878208","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crash-net","tag-crawlmanager"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1878208","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1878208"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1878208\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1878208"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1878208"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1878208"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}