P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Lewis Hamilton has contended that the financial limitations imposed by the cost cap have contributed to the 2025 F1 season being “less exciting” at the top.
Lewis Hamilton expressed his belief that the financial constraints of the cost cap have made the 2025 Formula 1 season less thrilling at the top. The budget cap, introduced in 2021 to level spending disparities, has hampered the excitement when one team, like McLaren in 2025, dominates from the start. McLaren is set to secure the Constructors’ Championship with a significant lead, and their drivers are on course for the title.
With all teams operating under a budget and major rule changes looming in 2026, McLaren’s competitors have effectively conceded this season. Hamilton emphasized how past seasons saw ongoing development and excitement without financial limits. McLaren’s boss, Andrea Stella, pointed to their progress under the cost cap to show that advancements are feasible within the constraints.
Stella highlighted the importance of the budget cap for the sport’s sustainability and noted that McLaren has improved while working within the limit. Despite differing opinions on the impact of the cost cap, the 2025 season has sparked debate on the future of F1 and the legacies of top teams and drivers.
