1997 F1 champion Jacques Villeneuve has boldly declared that Williams as a team is “dead”. Despite adopting a new design philosophy for this year’s car, Williams have come up short in comparison with their rivals.

So far, the Grove-based team has scored a mere four points in 10 races. Those points were courtesy Lance Stroll’s P8 at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Incidentally, the Canadian driver scored his maiden podium there last year.

In addition to that, Williams’ other driver, Sergey Sirotkin its the only one yet to score a single point.

The 47-year old former F1 champion has accused of selling out to pay drivers. He believes that signs of hope are few and far between for Williams. Things have reached such a state that even the drivers are publicly condemning the car.

Villeneuve said: “No, the team is dead.

“I do not see anything… There is simply no management.”

According to the Canadian, Frank Williams made a terrible mistake in handing the reins over to Claire. He believes that her brother Jonathan, who has motorsport experience deserve it more.

“There was an alternative back then: either an heir – or an heir – and they chose Claire instead of Jonathan.

“A big mistake, you just have to look where the team is today.”

He added: “When it comes to a team like that you first have to look at the top of the pyramid, the fish starts to stink on the head.

“They are completely blind when it’s all about realiszing where the team stands.

“You have to admit you’ve messed up, I do not see how the team is going to get out of it, I just do not see it.”

Because he had a bone to pick with his former team, he used to heavily criticise them. It got to a point where he was banned from the motorhome.