Former F1 driver Jacques Villeneuve has warned all 10 teams that a major decision must be made by all this year.
The upcoming season is the last under the current regulations before the introduction of one of the biggest changes in F1 history next year.
It will be the first campaign under the new power unit regulations, with the teams only able to work on developing the car since January 1.
The general expectation is that most teams will switch focus to next year close to mid-season, however, that could change for the leading outfits if a title is on the cards.
Deciding to sacrifice this year for a strong 2026 is a huge decision for any team to make, with the 1997 champion pointing out that it is only a problem because of the budget cap.
“It’s dangerous because the expectations are so high for this 2025 season,” Villeneuve told The Action Network.
“We had such an amazing second half of the season in 2024. And it was surprising. It was not expected. How all the forces converged to give us an amazing end of the season.
“This year should be a continuation of that because a lot of efforts and resources will be put into 2026 and ‘25 should be an evolution of ‘24.
“I don’t see a team reinventing the wheel just for one season. It would have happened in the past before the budget cap, but now with the budget cap, you need to make a decision.”
In Villeneuve’s eyes, a big team can afford to have an awful start to the new power unit regulations, but only if it wins this year’s championship.
“Winning in 2025 means you can afford to have a bad 2026,” added the Canadian. “It’s still a championship.
“It’s not a stupid way to go either. If you think that every other team will focus on 2026 and you’ll be the only one that’s putting all your balls into 2025, then why not?”
