Perez echoes Verstappen's 'Formula E' comparison for 2026 F1 cars

Sergio Perez has publicly agreed with Max Verstappen's early assessment of the 2026 Formula 1 cars, suggesting the new generation of machinery could lead to racing reminiscent of Formula E. The Cadillac driver highlighted the immense challenge of managing the complex new power units and expressed uncertainty about how overtaking will work under the radically different regulations.

Why it matters:

The unified criticism from two of the sport's most experienced drivers, including the reigning multi-time world champion, raises significant questions about the direction of the new technical era. Their concerns center on whether the push for sustainability and new technology could compromise the core racing spectacle that defines F1, potentially alienating drivers and fans if the cars become too difficult to race wheel-to-wheel.

The details:

• Driver Consensus: During testing in Bahrain, Perez sided with his former Red Bull teammate Verstappen, who previously labeled the 2026 cars "Formula E on steroids." Perez stated, "I don't want to jump to conclusions, but it could be like Formula E racing."
• Regulation Shock: Perez called the 2026 changes the biggest regulatory shift of his career, citing extreme difficulty in understanding energy deployment and power unit management. He noted, "A lot of this power unit comes into play, much more than in the past, which is not ideal."
• Racing Uncertainty: The Mexican driver's primary worry is the impact on actual competition. He admitted, "I want to see how they're racing because, for me, the main fun is the racing. At the moment, I just don't know how we're going to be racing," predicting overtaking will be "trickier."
• Diverging Opinion: Not all drivers share this bleak outlook. McLaren's Lando Norris has pushed back against Verstappen's comparison, acknowledging the regulations are different but refusing to equate the new F1 cars to the all-electric series.

What's next:

The true test will come at the season-opening race in Barcelona. Pre-season testing provides limited data on race trim and wheel-to-wheel combat.

• Teams and drivers will enter a steep learning curve to unlock performance and understand race strategy under the new energy constraints.
• The early driver feedback places immense pressure on the FIA and Formula 1 to monitor the racing product closely. If the fears of a processional, energy-management-focused series materialize, calls for mid-cycle regulatory tweaks could emerge quickly.