Perez warns 2026 F1 speed differentials could cause serious crash after Baku near-miss

Sergio Perez has issued a stark safety warning about Formula 1’s 2026 machinery, saying he nearly suffered a major crash with Liam Lawson at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix due to the extreme speed differentials created by the new power units.

The Cadillac driver said the contrast in energy deployment between different manufacturers’ engines is creating unpredictable speed gaps that leave drivers exposed, particularly during overtaking and defensive manoeuvres. “The difference in deployment and power across engines is too dangerous,” Perez said after the Baku race. “And I fear something bad is going to happen soon, if we don’t make some changes on the regulations.”

The concern is not new. Early in the 2026 season, Oliver Bearman suffered a heavy crash at the Japanese Grand Prix after taking avoiding action when he encountered a slower Franco Colapinto on track. The incident drew widespread attention to the consequences of the new power units, which carry a 47% electrical energy split and create significant speed variation depending on how and when that energy is deployed.

The FIA moved to address the problem during the April break, introducing tweaks to engine rules that reduced the need for lift-and-coast tactics — a key driver of the dangerous differentials. Further regulatory changes are planned for 2027, including a reduction in the electrical power proportion from 47% to 42%, which is expected to narrow the gaps further.

For now, Perez remains unconvinced the situation is under control. “I hope they are able to close up the gap,” he said, “because at the moment it feels like Mercedes and Red Bull have a very strong engine, and they can get you in places where the deployment is so poor and different to us.”

The Mexican driver was equally downbeat about the upcoming Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, held at the Sepang Circuit. When asked whether the track’s high-speed corners might be compromised by the 2026 cars, Perez offered a blunt assessment: “We better don’t talk about it.”