Marc Priestley names the F1 driver who’s already hurt his team’s 2025 chances

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In 2026, Formula 1 will enter a new era of regulations. It will be one of the most significant overhauls the sport has seen in its recent history.

Usually, teams will only have to cope with changes to the chassis or the engine. In this case, it’s both.

They will adopt more powerful batteries and run sustainable fuels, while also introducing movable aerodynamics. And those are only the headlines in a raft of changes.

Come next year, it’s inevitable that many will be prioritising 2026. They’ll see a chance to steal a lasting advantage over their competitors, particularly as rule resets tend to shake up the pecking order.

Teams have already begun working on their new engines. Max Verstappen has concerns about Red Bull Powertrains, while rivals Mercedes are expected to have an advantage.

But under the rules, they can’t start building their chassis until the start of next year. They’ll have to split their resources between their 2025 car and their long-term prospects, working within the budget cap.

Marc Priestley says Logan Sargeant has compromised Williams’ 2025 development

Speaking on his YouTube channel, BBC F1 pundit Marc Priestley explained that investment in upgrades will be limited next season. And that means teams will be doing a lot of their most important development work now.

This is where Logan Sargeant has been hurting Williams, he says. James Vowles can’t spend as much money on improving the FW46 as he’d like because of Sargeant’s hefty repair bills.

The 23-year-old was involved in yet another accident at the Dutch Grand Prix last weekend. He ran wide on the exit of turn three in the final practice session and spun into the barriers, with his car catching fire afterwards.

Sargeant had previously crashed in Japanese GP practice and the Canadian GP. Williams have now taken the decision to replace him with Franco Colapinto.

Priestley said: “If you’re spending money on rebuilding cars, making new components like chassis, floors, wings, they’re very expensive. You’re not able to spend that money on development, on upgrades, on making the car go faster, which is of course what every team in the pit lane is trying to do. 

“I talked last time out about the importance of upgrades now in this phase of Formula 1, before we get into 2026, when everyone wants to spend and divert their budget onto the new cars. No one wants to be in a big development race next year, so that has to happen now in the 2024 budget. And yet Williams are spending their budget on repairing one of their two cars almost every single week.”

The camera shot that showed Williams were ‘fed up’ with Logan Sargeant

In his final interview answer before he lost his seat, Sargeant said he ‘could care less’ about the rumours. That confidence proved to be misplaced.

During the replays of his Zandvoort accident, the camera cut to the garage, where the mechanics had their heads in their hands. Journalist Nate Saunders says that shot proved Williams were ‘fed up’ with Sargeant.

Colapinto also represents a gamble given his lack of experience. He drove in FP1 at the British GP but this weekend’s race in Monza will be his full debut.

Equally, though, Liam Lawson – another candidate – only has five races under his belt. Mick Schumacher spent two seasons with Haas, but they were marked by costly errors too.