Perez Slams 2026 Rules After Spa: 'What I Saw Was Not Formula 1'

Sergio Perez has issued a blunt indictment of Formula 1's 2026 regulations, declaring that the racing witnessed at Spa-Francorchamps "was not Formula 1." The Mexican joins a growing chorus of drivers arguing that the current rules remain fundamentally flawed despite mid-season tweaks, with severe energy clipping and insufficient battery deployment marring the spectacle at one of the calendar's most iconic venues.

Why it matters:

The criticism from a senior Red Bull driver underscores a deepening crisis of confidence in the 2026 rulebook. When established stars publicly question whether the current regulations belong at legendary circuits like Spa, it signals that the sport risks alienating both competitors and fans if the core issues remain unaddressed.

The details:

• Spa's straights exposed severe clipping: Drivers struggled with dramatic power loss along Spa's lengthy full-throttle sections as electrical deployment proved insufficient to complete a full lap at peak performance.
• Perez pulled no punches: "I think Spa is right now, with the current regulations, not a good place for F1," he stated. "What I saw was not Formula One... definitely wasn't nice."
• Widespread driver discontent: Carlos Sainz lamented that qualifying laps at Spa have lost their enjoyment, while Lewis Hamilton questioned how the regulations reached the track without their shortcomings being identified earlier.
• Regulatory uncertainty persists: Perez admitted it is difficult to evaluate potential fixes, noting that proposed changes must first be tested on simulators before teams can judge their effectiveness.

What's next:

Formula 1 and the FIA have made incremental improvements since the season opener, but the Spa weekend made clear that masking symptoms has not cured the underlying disease. With drivers demanding meaningful solutions rather than temporary patches, the pressure is mounting on rulemakers to deliver a regulatory framework worthy of the sport's premier reputation before the championship battle intensifies further.