Jacques Villeneuve says he received death threats

No, Nico Hülkenberg, Sergio Pérez, Bruno Senna, Romain Grosjean, and even Pastor Maldonado did not band together to make Jacques Villeneuve retract his recent statements where he described them, without naming them, as babies and daddy’s boys.

No, it is indeed other statements, against the protesting students, that reportedly led to the Quebec driver receiving death threats. Indeed, the Canadian Grand Prix is taking place in a tense atmosphere in Montreal, with the student movement taking advantage of the event to amplify their demands and criticize the Grand Prix, arguing that the investments it involves by the authorities could be better used, particularly for funding their tuition fees. As a result, the Grand Prix organization was forced to cancel the open house day at the Gilles Villeneuve circuit, while several “confrontations” between law enforcement and protesters occurred in the neighborhood where the Grand Prix festivities are held.

However, the 1997 world champion is starting to find the wait long and did not mince his words against the demonstrators in front of the press, gathered at a charity cocktail party on Thursday: « It’s time to wake up and stop being lazy. It’s lasted long enough. We’ve heard them. We’ve listened. They should stop. It’s costing the city a fortune. It makes no sense. »

The Quebecer therefore invites students to resume their studies and takes the opportunity to question parental laxity: « I think these people grew up without ever hearing their parents say no to them. That’s what we’re seeing in the streets right now. People who spend their time complaining. It’s become a bit ridiculous. They have spoken, we have heard, and now it’s time to go back to school. »

The former Williams driver reminded that Canada is a democracy and everyone has the power to express themselves… through the ballot: « That’s democracy. We vote for people – and if you’re not satisfied, then you vote for someone else next time. And if you’re not satisfied, you complain, they listen, and that’s it. » For him, the protesters are thus « rebels without a cause to defend » and he fears that their demands will drive away the wealthiest: « And where do governments get the money [to fund reforms, editor’s note]? From taxes, by selling things. The next thing they’ll say is: “Well, take from the rich.” And that’s when the rich change countries. »

According to Jacques Villeneuve, these statements – which he assured had not been distorted by journalists – did not fall on deaf ears: « Since yesterday, we’ve received a bunch of insulting, offensive, even some dangerous emails. So for people who advocate freedom of expression, I find it ridiculous that we don’t have the right to say what we think. » The Quebecer even mentions « death threats » but indicates that he did not want to report them to the police: « We delete and move on. »

Not intimidated in the slightest, Villeneuve even doubled down on Friday while the protesters threatened to block the metro cars to prevent spectators – already fewer than usual – from reaching Île Notre-Dame, where the Gilles Villeneuve circuit is located: « If they block the cars, it will be an act of terrorism. Plain and simple! »

But the Canadian driver is mostly concerned that his country’s image might be tarnished: « It’s sad, that’s all. It’s been going on for three months and everyone is fed up. It could have a very negative effect not just on Formula 1, but on the image of Montreal, Quebec, and Canada. » However, one might wonder if, by publicly highlighting the extreme behavior of a part of the movement, Jacques Villeneuve is not also contributing to giving voice to the most radical members – thus contributing to the bad image of Montreal, Quebec, and Canada – while the demonstrations are mostly meant to be non-violent, with sit-ins or processions where protesters, naked with red squares covering their private parts, bang on pots and pans.