F1 rules come once again under fire: 'What I saw was not Formula 1'

Although the regulatory changes introduced after the opening rounds have masked many of the inherent shortcomings that emerged with Formula 1's new-for-2026 cars, Spa exposed those issues once again. Drivers were visibly struggling with severe clipping along the circuit's long straights, while the battery charge proved insufficient to provide full electrical deployment over an entire lap.

Touching one final time on what unfolded at Spa-Francorchamps ahead of this weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix, Perez told GPblog among other media that the Belgian circuit is no longer suited to the current generation of Formula 1 cars.

The Mexican also admitted there is still uncertainty over the direction Formula 1 and the FIA should take, saying the current regulations remain difficult to evaluate before they are properly tested: "To be honest, it's really hard to understand these regulations. So until you don't try them on a simulator, what are those changes that they're thinking, and obviously, nothing has come through yet."

Finally, Perez acknowledged that Formula 1 and the FIA have made progress throughout the season, but insisted the Belgian Grand Prix exposed issues that can no longer be ignored.

Perez was far from the only driver to criticise Formula 1's 2026 regulations after the Belgian Grand Prix. The new generation of cars came under widespread scrutiny throughout the Spa-Francorchamps weekend, with several drivers arguing the iconic circuit exposed many of the shortcomings that still remain despite the regulatory tweaks introduced earlier this season.

Carlos Sainz admitted the current cars have taken much of the enjoyment out of a qualifying lap around Spa, while Lewis Hamilton questioned the decisions behind the regulations, suggesting the issues should have been apparent long before the cars ever reached the circuit.

Their comments echoed Perez's view that, despite the progress made since the opening races, Formula 1 still has significant work to do before the current package delivers the level of racing drivers expect.