Jacques Villeneuve warns Lance Stroll of F1 challenges

  • Published on 07 Nov 2016 11:12
  • comments 4
  • By: Dominik Wilde

Jacques Villeneuve has fired a warning to compatriot Lance Stroll ahead of his Formula One début.

The Canadian teenager will join the F1 grid next year with Williams, having won the European Formula Three championship this year.

Stroll is the son of fashion magnate Lawrence Stroll, leading many to label him as a "pay driver", despite championship titles in F4, F3, and the Toyota Racing Series.

But 1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve has said that Strolls lucrative backing doesn't mean he is lacking talent.

"I did say that money does not buy talent and I stand by that statement," the former Williams driver told the Journal de Montreal.

"But money doesn't mean you don't have talent," Villeneuve insisted. "Money allows you to enter through the front door."

However, despite a strong junior record, Villeneuve has said Stroll's previous record is no guarantee of success in F1.

"Winning F3 doesn't mean anything," he said. "There are so many drivers who have won in F3 but nothing afterwards. And others who did nothing in F3 and exploded in F1."

Although critical of 'pay drivers', Villeneuve has praised Stoll's father for the way he has handled his career.

"He made the right choices and was able to prepare his son, who in turn delivered the goods," said Villeneuve.

But F1, will present a bigger challenge for Stroll.

"It remains to be seen how Lance will evolve psychologically in F1," he said. "He will no longer be protected by your father but instead left rather to himself.

"He is very quick and has talent, but he has not yet learned to suffer. Lance has fought to win races, but he has not fought to survive in motor sport.

"He has not finished learning, and I'm anxious to see how he will react."

Replies (4)

Login to reply
  • Hemex

    Posts: 1,307

    Where is that 'shooting from the hip' razor sharp analysis that Jacques used to have ready for Max. Don't you go all soft on us now. We all rely on you for that extra bit of self reflection that only you were able to provide, pointing out all his weaknesses. Without that, we'd probably all start to think Max is actually good!
    OK, maybe Lance does not have any weaknesses; could be, could be. Or not.

    • + 0
    • Nov 7 2016 - 14:36
  • boudy

    Posts: 1,168

    Hmmm ...double standards from JV?

    • + 0
    • Nov 7 2016 - 15:12
  • Regarding his very strong performance and his young age, he is going te be strong in F1. No garantees but all looks in his favour

    • + 0
    • Nov 8 2016 - 12:56
    • Hemex

      Posts: 1,307

      And how many crashes would you predict. If his reputation is any indication: F1 drivers beware.

      • + 0
      • Nov 8 2016 - 19:42

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Aston Martin
  • Points 292
  • Podiums 3
  • Grand Prix 165
  • Country CA
  • Date of b. Oct 29 1998 (26)
  • Place of b. Montreal, CA
  • Weight 70 kg
  • Length 1.8 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar