Verstappen and Perez Unite in Criticism of New F1 Regulations

Former Red Bull teammates Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez have aligned in their vocal skepticism toward Formula 1's new technical era, with both drivers warning the sport risks becoming too much like Formula E. Perez, returning to the grid with Cadillac after a year away, described the 2026 regulations as the biggest change of his career and expressed concern over how energy management will impact the racing spectacle.

Why it matters:

The criticism from two high-profile drivers, including a reigning world champion, highlights a potential identity crisis for F1 as it enters a new regulatory cycle. Their concerns center on whether the increased focus on complex energy deployment and harvesting—core elements of Formula E—could compromise wheel-to-wheel racing and driver skill, which are fundamental to F1's appeal.

The details:

• The 2026 power units feature a 50-50 split between combustion and electrical energy, with battery power surging to 350kW from 120kW.
• The removal of the MGU-H and increased reliance on the MGU-K mean drivers must completely re-learn how to manage energy harvesting and deployment throughout a lap.
• Perez stated that figuring out the energy deployment is "tremendously difficult" and that the power unit plays a much larger role in performance than before, which he views as "not ideal."
• Both drivers fear overtaking could become trickier, as drivers must carefully manage their energy reserves during battles, potentially leading to more strategic, processional races rather than spontaneous on-track action.

The big picture:

Verstappen's earlier description of the new formula as "Formula E on steroids" and "anti-racing" set the tone, and Perez's similar apprehensions suggest these views are not isolated. Their comments point to a broader debate within the paddock about balancing technological advancement with sporting purity. The new rules aim for sustainability and road-relevance, but the driver feedback indicates a risk of alienating the core competition that defines F1.

What's next:

Perez has reserved final judgment until he experiences actual racing conditions, predicting potential "chaos" in the early races as teams and drivers grapple with the new systems. The true test will come at the season opener, where the practical impact on overtaking and race strategy will become clear. If the fears prove founded, it could pressure the FIA and FOM to consider adjustments to the regulatory framework to preserve F1's distinctive racing character.