Jacques Villeneuve predicts a thrilling 2025 F1 season, with Lando Norris emerging as a favorite but McLaren’s internal rivalry raising doubts.
Jacques Villeneuve anticipates an action-packed 2025 F1 season. The 1997 world champion told The Action Network that he expects the upcoming season to mirror the dramatic conclusion of 2024.
“It’s risky because expectations are very high for 2025. In 2024, we experienced an extraordinary second half of the season. It was surprising. Nobody saw it coming,” Villeneuve stated.
“All the forces aligned to deliver an incredible season finale. The 2025 season should follow suit because significant effort and resources will be directed toward 2026, making 2025 more of an evolution of 2024.”
“I don’t see a team reinventing the wheel for just one season. That might have happened in the past before budget caps, but today, with budget constraints, decisions have to be made.”
Asked about the strategic dilemma teams face between focusing on 2025 or shifting early to 2026, Villeneuve sees merit in prioritizing the former: “Winning in 2025 allows you the luxury of having a poor 2026.”
“It’s still a championship. It’s not a foolish approach either. If you believe all other teams will focus on 2026 while you channel everything into 2025, why not take that route?”
The Canadian expects Lando Norris to be the favorite for the 2025 world title but predicts that Lewis Hamilton could challenge Charles Leclerc: “Based on how last season ended, I would lean more toward Lando and McLaren. But the issue will be the internal battle between the two drivers.”
“McLaren hasn’t handled, and likely won’t handle, this situation well, and they’ll end up taking points from each other. So, even though they should be champions, they might not be. But you know, Lewis could have a chance. He finished strongly. It’s shaping up to be an interesting battle between Lewis and Leclerc.”
“You see what’s coming out in the media right now—Ferrari is really pushing Lewis at the moment. Either he’s being pushed and it’s incredible, or if not, it inflates Leclerc’s ego. Either way, it’s a win-win situation for Ferrari right now.”
“Lando should naturally be the one fighting for the championship. But the internal battle and McLaren’s inability to manage this rivalry effectively could tilt things more in Lewis’s favor, given how Ferrari ended last season.”
While Villeneuve foresees a potential battle between Norris and Oscar Piastri, he hasn’t been impressed by the Australian and doesn’t see him leaving McLaren: “The first question is how many teams actually want which drivers. Piastri had a few good races, but he hasn’t delivered a season that makes him universally sought after. He still has to prove he’s a consistent contender.”
Villeneuve sees McLaren clinching the Constructors’ title but questions the significance of the championship: “It should be a battle between Ferrari and McLaren for the Constructors’ title. The McLaren drivers won’t cost the team points—they’ll cost each other points.”
“But who remembers the Constructors’ title? Everyone remembers Verstappen being champion with Red Bull this year. So, in the end, Red Bull is seen as the champion. That’s the perception people have.”
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Villeneuve Predicts Drama in 2025 F1 Title Battle Villeneuve Predicts Drama in 2025 F1 Title Battle Villeneuve Predicts Drama in 2025 F1 Title Battle
