Jacques Villeneuve Slammed Michael Schumacher for ‘Lack of Respect’

1997 F1 world champion, Jacques Villeneuve seems to have a number of opinions on Formula One. Now, the Canadian firmly believes that drivers these days possess a lack of respect for each other on track. Also, Villeneuve thinks that the whole trend was started by Michael Schumacher.

He said, “He [Michael Schumacher] had a total lack of respect for other drivers and what racing is all about,” 

“It started an era where everyone does the same. I look at Formula 2 and Formula 3 and it’s strange that we don’t have a couple of deaths every year.

“In F1 it’s almost everyone too. They change lines and move when braking — things you should not see,”

However, Villeneuve did level a lot of praise for 5-time world champion, Lewis Hamilton. According to him, the Mercedes driver is one of the few exceptions in the F1 paddock.

Villeneuve continued, “Lewis is great because so far he has done nothing that is beyond the boundaries,”

“That’s the big difference — he’s more of a gentleman on the track. A quick driver but clean.”

However, one has to wonder if Villeneuve’s comments are genuine, or born out of jealousy of Michael Schumacher. He never really forgave Michael Schumacher for that stunt he pulled back in 1997. That day, he and Michael Schumacher collided, initiated by the latter, but Villeneuve won the title.

Michael Schumacher had tried the same stunt in 1994, this time with Damon Hill, and it was a success. But evidently, the FIA was too smart for the German and penalised him heavily.

Jacques Villeneuve is now retired from racing, as is Michael Schumacher, but sadly, Schumi had his skiing accident and very few updates are being given by the family.

On the subject of Formula One though, Lewis Hamilton and teammate Valtteri Bottas are battling it out for the 2019 title. But in the meantime, Ferrari are struggling after showing so much promise in the preseason.