Jacques Villeneuve criticizes McLaren’s priorities, questioning their focus on the constructors’ title over the drivers’ championship and fan perception.
Jacques Villeneuve is astonished that McLaren F1 claims to prioritize the constructors’ championship over the drivers’ crown. The 1997 world champion acknowledges the financial importance of the team title but emphasizes that its prestige is far less significant.
“Lando Norris’s luck turned halfway through the race in Brazil because of what happened with the safety car,” Villeneuve told Grosvenor Sport. “There’s a loophole in the regulations, and he paid a heavy price. It was extremely unlucky—there was nothing he could have done about it.”
“Then the pace Verstappen had in the second half of the race came out of nowhere, which was incredible. It’s no longer in Lando’s hands. All he can do is drive hard and fast and hope Red Bull doesn’t score. That’s it.”
The Canadian doubts McLaren’s claim that the constructors’ title is Woking’s priority: “McLaren said the strangest thing after Brazil, stating that the team’s priority wasn’t the drivers’ championship but the constructors’ title. That’s very strange.”
“That’s what teams say when they’re not winning. Sure, the constructors’ title brings in money. But nobody cares. People only remember the drivers’ world champion and the team associated with that champion.”
“Ultimately, in people’s minds, it’s the team that has been crowned world champion. The constructors’ championship is only good on paper and for the extra money it brings to the team. That’s about it. Outside the team itself, no one really cares.”
Villeneuve expects Verstappen to clinch the title in Las Vegas but commends Norris and McLaren for delaying the inevitable: “Verstappen winning in Vegas would be a great place to seal it if he does! It’s an exciting venue to claim the championship.”
“The odds are strongly in Max’s favor. He just needs to finish the job. If he wins in Vegas, he’ll be a very deserving champion. There’s no question about it. It will still be a great championship.”
“And it was already unexpected to see anyone challenge Red Bull and Max. Whatever happens until the end of the season, it will have been a great championship and a fierce battle. And whoever the winner is, they will be a deserving champion.”
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Villeneuve Slams McLaren’s Focus on Constructors’ Championship Villeneuve Slams McLaren’s Focus on Constructors’ Championship
