user icon
icon
link-icon
<< Return to the news list
F1 more 'like playing with lego' than 'extreme sport' - Villeneuve

F1 more 'like playing with lego' than 'extreme sport' - Villeneuve

  • Published on 24 Jul 2014 09:42
  • comments 0
  • By: Rob Veenstra
Jacques Villeneuve has lamented the lack of "heroes" on today's formula one grid. But the outspoken 1997 world champion says it is not just the drivers' fault, as the F1 of today does not bring out the "wild animal" in them.

"The rules are too restrictive," French Canadian Villeneuve told Schwetzinger Zeitung newspaper. "I have always regarded formula one as an extreme sport, but not really anymore," he said. "The sport is no longer pure enough, because of the rules. Everything has become much too artificial," the 43-year-old insisted.

That, Villeneuve says, means an easier time for the drivers. "The drivers no longer have to make a real effort," said the former Williams and Honda driver. "You used to come into formula one maybe still as a 20-year-old, but you would already be a man. Now you get the impression they think racing is like playing with lego."

And Villeneuve said the latest rules overhaul has proved the final straw for many departing viewers and spectators. "It is boring, we're losing fans," said the winner of 11 grands prix, who now attends the races as a television pundit. "You can feel that something is missing."

Meanwhile, Villeneuve tipped former champions Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel to leave their current teams. "Lewis Hamilton will not be at Mercedes for long," he told Sport Bild. "Everyone in the German team wants a German to be world champion. Lewis was only brought in to make Nico (Rosberg) even better."

As for quudriple title winner Vettel, Villeneuve said: "Sebastian has to leave Red Bull. "The public is already changing its opinion of him, as in a middle class car, he is starting to look like a middle-class driver." (GMM)
F1 News Lewis Hamilton Sebastian Vettel Mercedes Williams Honda

Replies (0)

Login to reply

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2023

Pos
Team
Points
1
Red Bull Racing
597
2
Mercedes
289
3
Ferrari
265
4
Aston Martin
217
5
McLaren
139
6
Alpine F1
81
7
Williams
21
8
Haas F1
12
9
Alfa Romeo Racing
10
10
Alpha Tauri
5
Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2023

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
3 - Mar 5
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
17 - Mar 19
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street Circuit
31 - Apr 2
Australia
Albert Park
28 - Apr 30
Azerbaijan
Baku City Circuit
5 - May 7
United States of America
Miami International Autodrome
19 - May 21
Italy
Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari
26 - May 28
Monaco
Monte Carlo
2 - Jun 4
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
16 - Jun 18
Canada
Gilles Villeneuve
30 - Jul 2
Austria
Red Bull Ring
7 - Jul 9
United Kingdom
Silverstone
21 - Jul 23
Hungary
Hungaroring
28 - Jul 30
Belgium
Spa-Francorchamps
25 - Aug 27
Netherlands
Circuit Zandvoort
1 - Sep 3
Italy
Monza
15 - Sep 17
Singapore
Marina Bay Street Circuit
22 - Sep 24
Japan
Circuit Suzuka
6 - Oct 8
Qatar
Losail International Circuit
20 - Oct 22
United States of America
Circuit of the Americas
27 - Oct 29
Mexico
Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
3 - Nov 5
Brazil
Interlagos
17 - Nov 19
United States of America
Las Vegas Street Circuit
24 - Nov 26
United Arab Emirates
Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2023

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
-
Bahrain Bahrain International Circuit
3 - Mar 5
Bahrain Bahrain International Circuit
17 - Mar 19
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
31 - Apr 2
Australia Albert Park
28 - Apr 30
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
5 - May 7
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
19 - May 21
Italy Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari
26 - May 28
Monaco Monte Carlo
2 - Jun 4
Spain Circuit de Catalunya
16 - Jun 18
Canada Gilles Villeneuve
30 - Jul 2
Austria Red Bull Ring
7 - Jul 9
United Kingdom Silverstone
21 - Jul 23
Hungary Hungaroring
28 - Jul 30
Belgium Spa-Francorchamps
25 - Aug 27
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
1 - Sep 3
Italy Monza
15 - Sep 17
Singapore Marina Bay Street Circuit
22 - Sep 24
Japan Circuit Suzuka
6 - Oct 8
Qatar Losail International Circuit
20 - Oct 22
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
27 - Oct 29
Mexico Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
3 - Nov 5
Brazil Interlagos
17 - Nov 19
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
24 - Nov 26
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

GB Lewis Hamilton 44
Lewis Hamilton
  • Team Mercedes
  • Points 3,100
  • Podiums 126
  • Grand Prix 177
  • Country GB
  • Date of b. Jan 7 1985 (38)
  • Place of b. Tewin, GB
  • Weight 68 kg
  • Length 1.74 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Mercedes
Mercedes
Show full profile
show sidebar