Villeneuve critiques Briatore’s skepticism over Hamilton’s Ferrari move, calling it the most significant F1 transfer in 30 years.
Jacques Villeneuve believes Lewis Hamilton still has the energy to chase an eighth world title. The seven-time F1 world champion is joining Ferrari this year, and the 1997 champion told The Action Network that much will depend on the mindset of the British driver.
“Everything hinges on whether Lewis Hamilton has the same hunger as Fernando Alonso,” Villeneuve said. “He still wants a championship, and he wants it with Ferrari. That should be enough to fuel his appetite. But if things get tough, will he fight and be a warrior like Alonso, or will he start wondering if it’s time to do something else with his life?”
“Physically, there’s no issue. He’s in top shape, incredibly strong, and could go on for another 10 years without a problem. But it’s all about the mind and the desire. That’s always the case in sports. Age is not the issue.”
“It’s about whether you’re mentally ready to give it your all, do all the necessary training, go to bed, wake up, and think only about that, fully focused. At some point in life, that may lose its importance or priority. That’s when you falter.”
“It’s not because of a direct physical effect. It’s exhausting, but at the same time, it’s what keeps you alive. It’s what drives you. And when you stop, you realize after two months that it’s boring. You need that lifestyle. You need that adrenaline rush to keep going.”
When asked about the possibility of Hamilton becoming the greatest driver of all time, Villeneuve expressed discomfort with the idea: “There is no such thing as the greatest of all time. Cars evolve too much; they are too different.”
“If you take someone like Jackie Stewart, he’s impressive because he won three championships in an era when two, three, or even five drivers would die or suffer severe injuries each year, and with cars that broke down in half the races. Yet, he managed to win a lot. The same goes for Fittipaldi, and others.”
“In some ways, three championships back then are probably more impressive than five or six today. Moreover, when you have a better car now, you end up winning almost 24 races instead of 15 because the calendar has 10 more races than it used to.”
“The stats are also skewed. The total points you earn; a win is now worth 25 points. Before, it was 8, then 9, then 10. That distorts the numbers as well. You can’t compare eras.”
Flavio Briatore recently stated he couldn’t understand Ferrari signing Hamilton (read here), and Villeneuve was surprised by this skepticism: “It’s a lack of insight from Briatore, suggesting he can’t see the logic behind Lewis Hamilton signing with Ferrari. Just look at Ferrari’s value the moment they signed him.”
“You cannot consider Ferrari solely as a racing team. It’s an entire industry. Yes, they are here to win, but winning helps them sell more cars and increases Ferrari’s value. That’s the business, and signing Lewis was worth millions upon millions, making it the best decision they’ve ever made.”
Villeneuve is ready to see Hamilton as the most publicized driver in Formula 1 history and views this move as the most significant in nearly 30 years: “Yes, Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari is the most publicized decision in F1 since Michael Schumacher left Benetton for Ferrari.”
“Regardless of race results, Lewis Hamilton is the most prominent driver of all time because of his audience. He’s very different. He’s unique. He has broken the mold. A lot depends on him. He has the biggest image. His image extends beyond F1. And there aren’t many drivers like that.”
“Remove Verstappen from F1, and no one cares. Remove Hamilton from F1, and people care. So yes, this is the biggest signing. And Ferrari is also one of the greatest brands in the world, if not the greatest. Put the two together, and yes, of course, it’s incredible.”
- Discover More>Horner: Red Bull Thrives Post-Newey, Unlocks Team Potential
- Follow us on >Facebook and >Twitter for F1 updates
Villeneuve Questions Briatore’s View on Hamilton to Ferrari Villeneuve Questions Briatore’s View on Hamilton to Ferrari. f1 Villeneuve Questions Briatore’s View on Hamilton to Ferrari
