- The 19-year-old British driver will compete for Haas in Formula One next season.
- Albon hopes to improve on his 16th place finish 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-filled accident in practice for the Mexican Grand Prix.
The 19-year-old Briton, who will drive for Haas next season, went off the racing line while making a slow lap to let Albon’s Williams pass in the wide chicane at Turn 10.
It seems Albon wasn’t expecting to find the red car where it was, and as he rounded the bend he received a slap from oversteer as he picked it up. He caught Beaman’s car, which was dragging on the left side.
Both affected machines were lifted off the track, with the Williams left severely bruised by the impact and eventually caught in the tire wall. The session received a warning signal.
Both drivers were uninjured and Bearman returned as a passenger on the motorcycle that came to pick him up.
Alex Albon collided with Ollie Bearman shortly after the latter began his practice session at the Mexican Grand Prix.
Williams team principal James Vowles said Albon lost the car at the top of the corner.
Albon initially called Bearman an idiot, although the 19-year-old appeared to adopt an appropriate position on the court.
Flight attendants said they would investigate the incident, which appeared to be due to a misunderstanding.
Abon called Bearman an “idiot,” although that seemed a biased opinion to say the least, given that English didn’t even remotely get in his way.
Williams team manager James Vowles said: “Frustrated. We need to see what the reasoning was behind this. Alex had to back off and lost the car at the top.
“The car didn’t really step there. It took off because it saw the other car.
‘As long as the chassis is good, we will be fine for FP2. If the chassis suffers damage, the problem is a little more important in terms of time.’
George Russell crashed into the barriers after losing control of his Mercedes during the second practice session
The British driver’s Mercedes suffered significant damage during the collision, causing the third flag of the day.
The pair were not the only ones to cause significant damage to their cars on Friday, as George Russell, who was leading the standings at the end of the first practice session, suffered a heavy crash into the barriers.
The British driver was taken to the medical center after losing control of his Mercedes at turn eight after going over the outside curb. Russell was able to walk away from the vehicle, although he emerged with his left arm pressed against his stomach.
