Jacques Villeneuve finds Formula 1 2026 entertaining from a spectator perspective – but the question is whether this will remain the case in the coming months
Expert Jacques Villeneuve believes that Formula 1 has put on “a good show” on the first two race weekends of the 2026 season. “It’s very different racing [than before], but it’s fun,” the 1997 world champion told Sky.
At the same time, however, he also made it clear that this was only his opinion as an observer from the outside. As an active driver, he would probably have “hated” the “new” Formula 1 this year, the Canadian admits.
Several active drivers had already expressed their criticism of the new Formula 1 regulations. One of the biggest critics is Max Verstappen, who has repeatedly emphasized that real racing is no longer possible under the new rules.
Villeneuve explains in this context that different skills are required this year than before. “You still see the better [drivers] at the front,” he believes, however. And the spectators have been treated to a good show so far.
However, the 54-year-old is not sure whether this will remain the case in the coming months. After all, the season opener in Melbourne was also so interesting because nobody really knew what to expect from the new regulations.
There were numerous lead changes in the early stages of the race, and fans in China also saw first a sprint and later a main race, in which there was a tough battle at the front between Mercedes and Ferrari at the start.
“But if we have ten races that are all exactly the same, it will get boring at some point,” warns Villeneuve. Especially as the early stages of each race were exciting, but in the end Mercedes always won – and sometimes quite clearly.
If this pattern continues in the upcoming races, Villeneuve fears that the entertainment factor of the “new” Formula 1 could wear off quite quickly. At the moment, however, it is definitely entertaining for the spectators.