Sergio Perez echoes Verstappen's concerns, warns 2026 F1 cars risk feeling like Formula E

Sergio Perez has joined Max Verstappen in voicing strong criticism of the driving feel of Formula 1's 2026-spec cars, warning the new regulations could lead to racing that resembles Formula E. The Cadillac driver described the upcoming rules as the biggest change of his career and expressed concerns about the increased complexity of energy management during wheel-to-wheel combat.

Why it matters:

The vocal skepticism from two of the sport's most experienced drivers highlights a potential disconnect between the FIA's technical vision for 2026 and the core driving experience that has defined Formula 1. Their warnings suggest the new cars, designed to be more sustainable and efficient, could fundamentally alter the nature of racing by placing excessive emphasis on energy management over pure driver skill and mechanical grip.

The details:

• Perez's comments came during testing in Bahrain, where he stated the 2026 car "feels extremely different" to anything he has driven before, calling it "probably the biggest change of my career in terms of the regulations."
• He pinpointed energy management as a primary concern, describing the process of storing and deploying battery power as "incredibly complex" and a much larger factor than in previous generations of cars.
• The Mexican driver is particularly worried about how this complexity will impact overtaking, suggesting it "could become a bit more difficult" and directly leading to his Formula E comparison.
• While Perez and Verstappen express concern, other drivers like Lando Norris have adopted a more optimistic view, framing the new challenge as an interesting engineering puzzle to solve.

The big picture:

The 2026 regulations represent F1's most aggressive push yet towards hybrid power and sustainability, mandating a near 50/50 split between internal combustion and electrical energy. The criticism from veteran drivers centers on whether this technical pursuit is compromising the visceral, high-performance essence of the sport. Their feedback creates early pressure on the FIA and teams to ensure the final product delivers exciting racing, not just efficient energy deployment.

What's next:

The true test will come when the 2026 cars hit the track for real competition. Teams will have the next year and a half to refine their designs and software strategies to mitigate the driving concerns raised. If the 'Formula E' comparisons persist into the first race weekend, it could trigger a swift regulatory review to recalibrate the balance between innovation and spectacle.