Villeneuve: Formula 1 lacks rivalries
For Jacques Villeneuve, Formula 1 currently is a bit too smooth. The intense rivalries are missing from the competition, and the current Grand Prix commentator would like to see more drivers with strong personalities.
Jacques Villeneuve has always had a freedom of speech in Formula 1 that often delighted journalists while he was still competing. Now working as a Grand Prix commentator for the encrypted channel Canal +, the 1997 world champion has not lost this habit.
He recently expressed frustration over the lack of rivalries among current drivers. The good relationship displayed by the Mercedes drivers, for example, doesn’t seem to suit him: « You need rivalries. Now it’s like: ‘We all love each other.’ When two teammates are on the podium and the one in second place says he’s happy to have been beaten by his teammate – I’m sorry, but I don’t believe it. It’s just for show. He wants to be politically correct and it’s terrible. I don’t think fans like that. What does it mean? Don’t fight for what you want. It’s a terrible message. What you want to see are rivalries and battles. Guys angry about not winning. That’s what’s missing right now and I don’t know why it has disappeared. »
For the former Williams driver, current drivers frankly lack character and personality. He remembers his fierce battles with Michael Schumacher that highlighted the sport in the mid-90s: “That’s what makes people love or hate you. But you leave no one indifferent. People want to see a good show, but they’re interested if there are heroes. If you don’t have that, it becomes boring. It becomes something normal and not special.”
Villeneuve will participate this weekend in the Indianapolis 500 for which he qualified in 27th position. An experience that might well be repeated according to the Canadian driver: « I really want to focus on finding a full-time drive in a professional category next year. A full season in IndyCar, why not? The series is interesting again. »
