Cadillac’s Sergio Perez experienced a hair-raising moment in last weekend’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix, and fears that “something bad” might happen unless more adjustments are made to Formula 1’s engine regulations.
The Mexican driver’s concerns are rooted in the continued sheer unpredictability of energy management systems across rival teams.
With the current engine formula relying on electrical energy for 47% of total power output, performance varies drastically depending on how individual cars deploy and harvest their battery reserves. The result is a dangerous environment where speed gaps between cars open and close rapidly without warning.
A terrifying near-miss in Baku
The volatility of the current regulatory framework was brought into sharp focus during last Saturday’s race on the streets of Baku. While attempting to defend his position, Perez narrowly escaped a disastrous high-speed collision with Racing Bulls Liam Lawson.
“More than anything, it's a race that we need to review a lot what's going on with the energy management, the difference on engine,” the Cadillac driver said after the race.
“I was going to have a massive shunt with Lawson when I was defending from him, because the difference in deployment and power across engines is too dangerous. And I fear something bad is going to happen soon, if we don't make some changes on the regulations.”
Perez’s near-collision is far from an isolated incident. The dangerous reality of massive closing speeds was painfully illustrated earlier in the 2026 season when Haas driver Oliver Bearman suffered a violent crash at the Japanese Grand Prix.
Bearman lost control after taking sudden avoiding action around a dramatically slower Franco Colapinto.
However, despite regulatory tweaks enacted by the FIA during the April break to reduce extreme lift-and-coast maneuvers, the underlying deployment hazards remain a constant threat.
Engine disparities and uncertainty ahead
Beyond the operational risks of energy harvesting, Perez highlighted a growing competitive divide between manufacturers.
Engine packages from frontrunners like Mercedes and Red Bull have shown superior deployment capabilities, leaving drivers in lower-tier machinery highly vulnerable when their electrical power abruptly runs dry mid-straightaway.
“I hope they are able to close up the gap, because at the moment it feels like, Mercedes and Red Bull, they have a very strong engine, and they can get you in places where the deployment is so poor and different to us,” Perez added.
“The difference in speed is too dangerous.”
While further regulatory revisions planned for 2027 aim to smooth out performance by shifting the electrical power ratio from 47% down to 42%, drivers must still navigate the remainder of the calendar under high risk.
Read also: F1i Driver Ratings for the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand PrixUnease is mounting as the grid prepares for this week’s upcoming Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, where the high-speed sweeping layout of Sepang will place massive demands on battery recovery systems.
Asked if Sepang’s famous fast corners risk being ruined by the characteristics of the 2026 machinery, Perez offered a grim, succinct response: “We better not talk about it.”
Keep up to date with all the F1 news via X and Facebook
Perez warns 'something bad' may happen as F1 engine gap grows F1i.com.
Hence then, the article about perez warns something bad may happen as f1 engine gap grows was published today ( ) and is available on F1 News ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Perez warns 'something bad' may happen as F1 engine gap grows )
Also on site :
- A’ja Wilson gets into heated altercation with fan in contentious Aces-Fever playoff moment: ‘Not for that s–t at all’
- Liberty oust top-seeded Lynx to reach second round of WNBA playoffs in historic upset
- Heliot Ramos embracing his Aaron Judge-sized Yankees challenge