Imola proved that Lewis Hamilton ‘No Longer used to Taking Risks”: Jacques Villeneuve

Imola proved that Lewis Hamilton ‘No Longer used to Taking Risks”: Jacques Villeneuve

Jacques Villeneuve

In the past few seasons, the 7-time World Champion, Lewis Hamilton has not displayed in any of his flaw on the track. He has often been rock solid from start to the finish on race weekends. But the race in Imola made fans witness some uncharacteristic mistakes, be it getting off track or spinning around. Which led former F1 Champion Jacques Villeneuve question the Mercedes’ driver intent of taking risks. 

To bring everyone on the same page, at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, Max Verstappen first forced the Lewis Hamilton to over-commit in the first corner and cause damage to his car. Then during Lap 34, the Briton drove on the damp section of the track to gain time on Max and slid into the gravel. It showed his vulnerability in taking those risks. 

What did Jacques Villeneuve say about Lewis Hamilton? 

https://youtu.be/jo1TIengt0Y

According to Jacques Villeneuve, it may have been because of a lack of rival of equal stature. While his idol, Ayrton Senna, had Alain Prost, no driver has been able to sustain a true challenge to him. 

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“It’s going to be exciting. It was already seen at Imola that Lewis is no longer used to taking great risks. But he has to do that now because, unlike in previous years, he has an opponent on an equal footing who also drives for another team,” said Jacques Villeneuve. (Quotes translated from German using Google) 

The Mercedes driver was lucky to stand on the podium at the end of the race. That damage limitation was inadvertently thanks to his teammate, Valtteri Bottas. 

“The red flag that his teammate Valtteri Bottas raised, of all people, saved him. He was very lucky. He shouldn’t rely on that from now on,” Jacques Villeneuve suggested Lewis Hamilton. 

Jacques Villeneuve concluded by saying, “Perez is the newcomer to the Red Bull team and is already stronger than Bottas, who is already driving for Mercedes in his fifth season. Perez can help Max more than Bottas can for Hamilton,”  

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