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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

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Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

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