Jacques Villeneuve takes a dig at F1 drivers and claims, ‘they would be at Max Verstappen’s level if they focused like him’

Max Verstappen had one of the greatest seasons in the history of Formula 1.

Jacques Villeneuve takes a dig at F1 drivers and claims, ‘they would be at Max Verstappen’s level if they focused like him’

Jacques Villeneuve [L] Max Verstappen [R] (images via IMAGO)

Max Verstappen has dominated the 2023 season and set a very high standard for other drivers to match him. Amidst the dominance, former F1 driver Jacques Villeneuve took a dig at the rest of the grid. The Canadian even praised Verstappen for his untouched performance in the season.

The former Canadian driver claimed that Red Bull was not that far ahead in terms of pace and lap times. Villeneuve pointed out that it was super close and not ‘domination’ according to him. Subsequently, the F1 champion reckoned that it was different from that of Mercedes when the drivers were ahead of everyone by a second at least according to him. 

Red Bull is not that far ahead, When they got all their poles, it was a tenth, half a tenth… super close! So that’s not domination. That’s not the years of Mercedes when they were a second ahead of everyone, and everybody was OK with that – there was not an issue.
Villeneuve told planetf1.com.

However, the Canadian highlighted the difference between Verstappen and other drivers on the grid. He sealed the reason for this as the Dutch driver was at it for 24 hours and never got tired. Additionally, Villeneuve reckoned that perhaps Fernando Alonso was a bit like Verstappen. Although, even the veteran did not come close to the three-time champion. Finally, the 1997 champion claimed if everyone focused like Verstappen, they would be at the same level as him.

Max makes the difference because he’s at it 24 hours a day. He’s never getting tired. He gets out for the race car, and he’s still thinking about racing. That’s all that exists. Maybe [Fernando] Alonso a bit but, all the other ones, they’re busy doing other things. They get out of the car and they do a bunch of other things. If they all focused like Max, then maybe they would be at Max’s level.

Jacques Villeneuve highlighted the difference between Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez

The 52-year-old also talked about the monumental difference between the two teammates Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez. Villeneuve reckoned that Verstappen’s mental ability and work ethic created a big difference between the two drivers in the same team. The former champion pointed out that even in free practice, Verstappen shone in the last race of the season.

Max and Sergio (1)
Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez (Credits: Skysports)

Villeneuve recalled the move from Verstappen that forced F1 to change the rule to overtake inside the pitlane. He termed this moment from Verstappen as a ‘funny one’ and sided with him in the move. The focus in Verstappen during the races makes a big difference according to the Canadian.

The Dutchman definitely scored one of the best seasons fans ever witnessed in the history of Formula 1. He also etched his name in the record books for forever as he shattered multiple records and set the record so high that it would be nearly impossible for the coming generations to beat or match.

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