Sergio Perez has renewed concerns over the safety of Formula 1’s 2026 cars, warning that extreme speed differences created by varying energy deployment between power units could eventually contribute to a serious accident. The Cadillac driver revealed that he came close to a major collision with Liam Lawson during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix and urged Formula 1 and the FIA to pay close attention to the issue.
The subject had already emerged forcefully during the opening races of the 2026 season, when several incidents placed the safety characteristics of the new generation of cars under scrutiny. Among the biggest concerns was the possibility of two cars fighting each other while operating in very different phases of electrical energy deployment, potentially creating extreme closing speeds.
Safety concerns surrounding 2026 F1 cars return after Baku
Near-misses and accidents early in the campaign had already fuelled debate. Liam Lawson and Franco Colapinto narrowly avoided a major incident at the start in Melbourne, while Oliver Bearman suffered a heavy crash at Suzuka.
Those episodes placed aspects of the new technical regulations under scrutiny, particularly the possibility of significant speed differences developing between cars depending on how and when their electrical energy is being deployed.
The FIA subsequently intervened during Formula 1’s enforced break in April, modifying the power unit regulations with the aim of reducing the need for drivers to resort to extensive lift-and-coast tactics. As the Grands Prix passed, however, the safety debate gradually moved away from the centre of attention.
Sergio Perez has now brought it back into focus following the Azerbaijan Grand Prix at Baku, a circuit where the combination of very high speeds, narrow sections and barriers already leaves little margin for error.
Sergio Perez reveals serious Liam Lawson near-miss
The Cadillac driver, who has largely been fighting towards the back of the grid this season, believes the differences between the various power units remain a cause for concern.
“More than anything, this is a race that forces us to analyse in depth what is happening in terms of energy management and the differences between the engines,” Sergio Perez said after the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
He then revealed how close he felt he had come to a serious incident while racing Liam Lawson.
“I was about to have a serious accident with [Liam] Lawson while I was defending from him, because the difference in deployment and power between the various engines is too dangerous. And I’m afraid something serious will happen soon if we don’t make some changes to the regulations.”
Why energy deployment remains a concern in Formula 1
The issue stems from the radically different balance between combustion and electrical power introduced with the 2026 regulations. Depending on the amount of battery energy available and where that energy is deployed around a lap, one car can potentially have a substantial acceleration advantage over another at particular points.
The competitive differences have also become an important part of the wider power unit battle. Mercedes has established itself as one of the benchmarks during the opening phase of the new regulations, with the performance of the Mercedes W17 highlighting the strength of the package, while other manufacturers continue working to close the gap.
Honda, for example, has continued its development programme in an effort to recover performance, with further power unit progress being pursued at Sakura.
2027 regulations will reduce the electrical power contribution
Further regulatory changes have already been agreed for the 2027 season, including a reduction in the proportion of electrical power from 47% to 42%. The adjustment is expected to help reduce some of the extreme differences in energy deployment that have caused concern during the first season of the new power unit regulations.
For Sergio Perez, however, the current situation still requires attention.
“I hope they manage to close the gap,” the Mexican added. “Because at the moment it seems that Mercedes and Red Bull have a very powerful engine and can catch you and attack you at points where the deployment [of the other engines] is really poor.”
“The speed difference is too dangerous,” Sergio Perez concluded.
It was a clear warning at a point when eight races remain in the 2026 season. After the early debate around energy management appeared to fade, Sergio Perez’s experience in Baku has once again highlighted the potential consequences of cars racing in close proximity while experiencing significantly different levels of power deployment.
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