“It was already unexpected to have someone bring the fight to Red Bull and to Max” : Former F1 driver Jacques Villeneuve believes there is only one clear winner this season
After showing character and winning one of the best races of his career in Brazil, where he started on grid 17th, there is little to no surprise left on who will become the world champion this season. Max Verstappen is about to win his fourth world championship in a row, and only Lando Norris is close enough to stop the Dutchman, but that too is a stretch.
The Dutchman only needs to finish ahead of Norris in the upcoming Las Vegas GP, and that will seal the deal for him and Red Bull yet again. And after the antics he pulled off in Brazil, this seems like an easier job now.
Although this year’s F1 races have been much closer than previous years’, in the end it was always somewhat clear that Verstappen will be the one crowned as the world champion. Former F1 driver Jacques Villeneuve saw this, as he addressed that Verstappen would be a deserving champion, but acknowledges the fact that regardless of the winner, the fight for the championship has been very positive.
“[Max has] just got to go get around and finish. If he does win it in Vegas, he’ll be a very deserving champion. No issues there. It will still have been a great championship.” said Villeneuve.
“It was already unexpected to have someone bring the fight to Red Bull and to Max. Whatever happens till the end of the season, it will still have been a great championship and a good battle. And whichever of the two wins, they’ll be a deserving champion.” the 53-year-old added.
“That is the next step for him to become the biggest driver ever” : Jacques Villeneuve believes Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari career will be the key for him to be recognized as the greatest ever
Many are not expecting Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari run to be anything extravagant, but the Canadian thinks otherwise. Villeneuve believes that Ferrari is the biggest car company, while the Briton’s name is enough for everyone to know that he is the best F1 has ever produced. Both seem like a match made in heaven, and the 53-year-old wants them to fully capitalize this opportunity, professionally and financially.
“That is the next step for him to become the biggest driver ever, when he did sign for Ferrari, nothing was in place like it is now. It wasn’t the Ferrari we see today. That’s what you have to understand. It’s the biggest name in the car or motorsport industry and Lewis has been the biggest name. So, link the two. Look how the shares went up in Ferrari.” Villeneuve said via Grosvenor Sport.
The Canadian also believes that if the Briton is able to win his eighth F1 title with Ferrari, breaking the record of the iconic Ferrari man Michael Schumacher, it will be the biggest thing ever in the history of the sport, in addition to unanimously making him the greatest F1 driver of all time.
“If he can win with Ferrari, he will be forever unbeatable. That’s it. And he will cement his name. It’s very simple.”
“If he doesn’t win with Ferrari, he still has got all the records. That would just be the ultimate step. So, it’s worth taking the gamble.” Jacques Villeneuve explained.
While having quite some experience in winning world titles, the Briton last won one in 2019, and came super close to what some say should have been his championship the next year. Age might be a factor to his drop in performances in recent years, but we have still seen glimpses of his greatness here and there. Maybe a fresh start with the Prancing Horses will be key for the then 40-year-old to embark on his journey for greatness.
