Checo Pérez joins the criticism: “Formula 1 is less fun and too artificial”

Sergio Pérez returned to Formula 1 only to find a sport that feels completely different. The new regulations introduced for 2026 have sparked major controversy, with energy management becoming the defining factor in races — something drivers are increasingly frustrated with. Max Verstappen, Lando Norris, Fernando Alonso and others have already voiced their displeasure, and now Checo Pérez is joining that chorus.

Pérez, who made his debut with Cadillac and finished 16th in Australia, didn’t hold back. He admitted he barely understands what’s happening on track and believes Formula 1 has become “less fun and more artificial.”

After the race in Melbourne, Checo shared his blunt assessment of the new era of F1. “It’s a very different Formula 1 from the one I was used to,” he said. “It’s clearly much less fun. It’s not as enjoyable as before when it comes to racing, and with all the management we have to do, honestly, it’s not great.”

He was especially surprised by how easy overtaking has become — for reasons that have nothing to do with pure speed. “When I was behind Valtteri, I was shocked by how easy it was to pass him,” Pérez explained. “I thought I’d get close and maybe fight at the end of the straight, but halfway down I was already five meters ahead and almost overtook the next car too. I think we’re all in this artificial race now — it’s too artificial. Unfortunately, Formula 1 has changed a lot.”

Checo admits he barely understands what’s happening on track

The Australian Grand Prix featured 120 overtakes, but many drivers argue those passes are “fake.” In today’s F1, the faster car isn’t always the one overtaking — it’s the one managing its energy deployment more cleverly.

“It’s very hard to understand what’s going on,” Pérez said. “Sometimes with the energy, you lift a little and it changes things way more than you’d expect. Sometimes I’d arrive at Turn 3 going 20 mph faster just because I lifted differently or accelerated in another way. Honestly, these are things I don’t understand.”

Next stop: China

Formula 1 now packs up and heads straight to China for the second race of the 2026 season, scheduled for Sunday, March 15 at 2:00 a.m. ET.

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