P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Cadillac’s Sergio Perez has supported former team-mate Max Verstappen’s claims on ‘difficult’ F1 cars ahead of the 2026 season.
Cadillac’s Sergio Perez has shown support for Max Verstappen’s critique of the new ‘difficult’ Formula 1 cars for the 2026 season. The ongoing pre-season testing in Bahrain revealed mixed opinions from drivers, with some, like George Russell and Lando Norris, embracing the challenge, while others struggled to find positives in the significant changes. Verstappen, a four-time champion, expressed dissatisfaction with the new era in F1, describing the cars as ‘anti-racing’ and akin to “Formula E on steroids.” Perez joined in echoing Verstappen’s sentiments, acknowledging the substantial departure from previous norms, leading to a steep learning curve for all drivers. The 2026 season’s heightened focus on hybrid developments, with a 50/50 power split between petrol and electric components, poses challenges in energy management, making overtaking more intricate and adding layers of complexity to race strategy. Drivers like Perez and Verstappen are eager to observe how these changes will impact actual racing dynamics, emphasizing the potential shift towards a more strategic, energy-conscious style of competition over traditional wheel-to-wheel battles.
