With the 2025 Formula 1 season shaping up to be one of the most competitive in recent history, former world champion Jacques Villeneuve is urging teams to approach the year with caution.
Why? Because while the 2025 championship is up for grabs, the real battle is already brewing for 2026—when Formula 1 will introduce radical new regulations, including overhauled power units. And according to Villeneuve, teams that go all-in on this season risk falling behind when the sport enters its next evolution.
“If you win in 2025, you can afford to have a weak season in 2026,” Villeneuve stated. “But you’d be stupid to put everything on 2025 when everyone else is only thinking about 2026.”
2025: The Final Chapter Before F1’s Next Revolution
The 2025 season will mark the end of an era, as teams will race under the current hybrid engine formula for the last time.
For teams like Red Bull and McLaren—arguably the two biggest contenders for the 2025 title—balancing their approach will be critical.
“2025 will be an evolution of 2024. No one will reinvent the wheel just for one season,” Villeneuve predicted.
With the cost cap limiting resources, teams must be strategic in dividing their focus. Every wind tunnel test, CFD simulation, and development session must be optimized—not just for this season, but to ensure they don’t fall behind in 2026.
Which teams will gamble on 2025, and which will prioritize the future?
The Cost Cap & The 2026 Trade-Off
Under Formula 1’s financial regulations, top teams already face reduced aerodynamic testing limits compared to midfield and backmarker teams. That means wasting resources on short-term gains could cripple long-term competitiveness.
🔹 Red Bull must decide how much effort to put into defending its crown while preparing for Honda’s exit and Ford’s arrival in 2026.
🔹 McLaren, fresh off its resurgence, could take advantage of its momentum but will need to ensure it’s not sacrificing long-term competitiveness.
🔹 Ferrari and Mercedes, eager to return to the top, might be playing the long game to capitalize on the rule changes.
If teams get their 2026 development wrong, they could suffer for years to come—just as Mercedes did when it fell behind in the ground-effect era.
2025: A Season of High Stakes & High Risks
With Max Verstappen, Lando Norris, Charles Leclerc, and George Russell all expected to be in the title hunt, the 2025 season won’t lack excitement. But Villeneuve’s warning is clear—short-term glory could come at a long-term cost.
Will teams go all-in on 2025, or will they take a calculated approach to ensure success beyond this year?
One thing is certain: Formula 1’s next big era is just around the corner, and the smartest teams are already planning for it.