US GP: Oliver Bearman slams Yuki Tsunoda after controversial race battle in Austin | F1 News

Oliver Bearman has launched a scathing attack on rival Yuki Tsunoda by accusing the Red Bull driver of making “dangerous” maneuvers during their battle for the United States Grand Prix.

Bearman was pressuring Tsunoda in the battle for seventh place on lap 34 when the Haas driver spun at Turn 15, as the Red Bull closed the door during an attempt to pass from the inside.

British rookie Bearman was adamant that Tsunoda had broken the rules, or at least gone against the “spirit of the regulations” by moving under braking in his attempts to defend.

“To me, what he did was unfair,” Bearman said Sky Sports F1 after finishing ninth. “I felt that what he did was against the rules and the spirit of the regulations and what we do in racing.

“I had been trying to fight with him for two laps, I definitely had more pace at that point. Every time I looked at the movement, inside turn 12, inside turn 13 and inside turn 15, he was moving in reaction. And moving in reaction is something we can’t do at those speeds with these cars. It’s dangerous.”

“When I went to move inside on this occasion, he saw me doing that and reacted to my movement. And the moment I commit to braking, I can’t disappear.

“Honestly, we’re very lucky to have avoided a really big crash. I’m just really disappointed that it allowed us to finish 9th today.”

Bearman explained that he was also frustrated by the first-lap “dive bombs” that Tsunoda attempted at the Circuit of the Americas during Saturday’s sprint and Sunday’s race.

The 20-year-old Briton bluntly alluded to Tsunoda’s overall struggles to match the performance of his Red Bull teammate Max Verstappen, who easily took victory in Austin.

When asked if he would attempt to talk to Tsunoda, Bearman replied: “No, I don’t think this is the first time he’s done something like this and it certainly won’t be the last time.

“Clearly, with the way he drives… I mean, we saw him yesterday in qualifying complaining, he’s trying really hard and it’s not working.

“Twice in Turn 1 he dived on the first lap, taking incredible risks, so I don’t even think it’s worth trying to get my point across to him.”

Tsunoda: I’m not his teammate!

Tsunoda rejected Bearman’s suggestion that he had done something wrong.

“I don’t think I moved when braking,” Tsunoda said. Sky Sports F1.

“It’s a bit of a shame how he ended up, especially since we had a good fight up until then. That’s all.”

The Japanese driver has had a difficult campaign after being promoted from Racing Bulls to Red Bull just two races into the season.

Despite the team’s insistence that a decision on their lineup for next year will only be made after next weekend’s Mexico Grand Prix, most assume Tsunoda will not drive with either Red Bull or their junior team next year.

His form has improved in recent weeks with three points in the five races since the summer break, following a seven-race pointless streak previously.

Asked specifically about Bearman’s criticism of his moves in the first corner, Tsunoda added: “It’s racing, right? I was in total control, I had no blocking and we were side by side.”

“I’m not his teammate, I’m just fighting to be top 10 or higher. I thought it was okay.”

Split Button on Bearman Complaints

Sky Sports F1 Expert and former world champion Jenson Button agreed with Bearman that Tsunoda was in the wrong for the Turn 15 incident.

Button said: “I’m not really sure where Yuki was going on that one. It looked like he was going to drive on the grass on the inside because he was looking in the mirrors waiting to see if Ollie was going to try to go down the inside.

“He turns left and he would have been on the grass if he hadn’t gone back. He reacts 100% to what Ollie is doing behind him in a braking zone.

“He also braked incredibly early into that corner, which poses a problem for the cars behind.”

However, Button thought Bearman’s criticism of Tsunoda’s Turn 1 efforts in both Austin races was unreasonable.

He added: “I think Yuki was wrong in turn 15. But what Ollie said about Yuki in turn 1, it’s fair game, because in both starts he braked late, he did an incredible job and gained a lot of positions.

“You have to do everything you can to win places, I just think the move with Ollie was a bit off.”

The exciting Formula 1 title race continues this weekend at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez for the Mexico Grand Prix, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime