Ex-F1 champion hits out at Top Gear fame Jeremy Clarkson for calling Max Verstappen the GOAT
Jacques Villeneuve was unhappy with Jeremy Clarkson's claims of Max Verstappen being the GOAT, citing the transitioning F1 era as the reason.
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Jeremy Clarkson and Max Verstappen (via IMAGO)
With the greatest of all time (GOAT) debate always enraging on in the F1 paddock, Top Gear star Jeremy Clarkson recently called out Max Verstappen as the greatest of the sport. However, such claims did not go well with 1997 F1 champion Jacques Villeneuve, who lamented the 64-year-old’s statements and asserted that the Dutchman did not have to work hard to earn the majority of his championships.
Max Verstappen won his maiden drivers’ title in 2021 after defeating Lewis Hamilton in a fierce battle for the elusive championship. In the subsequent years, the 27-year-old had a much easier time fighting for the title and had one of the most dominant seasons in F1 in 2023.
Though the 2024 title posed some challenges, Verstappen guided through the hurdles like a world champion and is on the verge of winning his fourth driver’s title. Witnessing this, Jeremy Clarkson was stunned by the Dutchman’s abilities and reckoned him as the GOAT of F1. Consequently, this did not go well with Jacques Villeneuve, who battered such claims while explaining his stance.
How can Jeremy Clarkson say Max Verstappen is the greatest of all time? He had a great season when he beat Lewis [Hamilton] for his first championship. Then he’s had the same way that Lewis won his first one. Then he’s had easy ones, the same way Lewis had easy ones. And this year he’s been fighting back. So this year has been a great year. You cannot compare the era of Fangio to now. They are different eras. So you cannot say any of them is the greatest of all time. The sport has changed too much.
Jacques Villeneuve said in an interview with Grosvenor Sport
However, the Canadian is notoriously famous for demeaning drivers and their achievements. His stance in the F1 community has remained iffy over the past few months due to such statements, which would make some fans stay away from paying attention to his claims.
Jacques Villeneuve does not discount Max Verstappen from achieving seven world titles
While he earlier degraded Verstappen’s championships in comparison to other world championships, the 53-year-old also praised the 27-year-old for his abilities with an F1 car. He elaborated on the possibility of the Red Bull driver matching Michael Schumacher/Hamilton’s number of championships due to his impressive driving skills.
Villeneuve asserted that Verstappen’s hunger and mindset are definitely capable of him winning seven world titles in the near future. Also, he is still in his 20s and on the verge of having four drivers’ championships in his pocket, which makes this prospect even more likely.
Max Verstappen definitely has what it takes to match Schumacher’s titles. Max is always hungry, always competitive and always going for the win. He never gives up. If the situation is right, he’ll always be there to win a championship. Just like Alonso could have had seven championships. Look how often he came close with Ferrari.
Jacques Villeneuve said in the same interview
Despite Villeneuve’s backing, Verstappen’s ability to win seven world titles also partially resides in the capability of Red Bull to produce a car that could stay at the sharp end. Thus, the Milton Keynes-based squad would also need to fulfill its side of the obligation and give the reigning champion a car to fight for the world title till he remains in the sport.
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Geetansh Pasricha
(772 Articles Published)