Share

Williams 'do not deserve' F1 budget cap - Villeneuve

Jacques Villeneuve says a team like Williams "do not deserve" a budget cap.

The outspoken French Canadian is the last driver to have won the world championship for the British team, but he is now highly critical of efforts to make surviving easier for the current backmarker.

'Pure socialism'

"What's the idea with helping the small teams who don't deserve it? Does an organisation like Williams have the right to be as fast as Mercedes or Ferrari? The answer is obviously no," he told Le Journal de Montreal.

READ | Top drivers big winners of F1 budget cap - Marko

"Frankly, the way they have working for a few years now, they're not even in the same category."



What are your thoughts on the budget cap for F1 teams? Email us.

Formula 1 will introduce a budget cap in 2021, and the next Concorde Agreement will distribute the sport's income more evenly up and down pitlane.

"To me, it's pure socialism. F1 deserves better than that.

"Only the top three teams will spend the $175 million. Williams put about $16 million in its pocket last year while finishing last. So the management and the shareholders are happy," Villeneuve said.

"Even if the cap was $50 million, Williams would spend 20 and stay at the bottom. So it's a joke. Nobody wins," he said.

'It will not help'

Villeneuve also questions the 2021 technical regulations, with cars that are 3-4 seconds slower per lap designed to be easier to race wheel-to-wheel.

"We don't care if they are slower. All they need to do is design cars that are hard to drive.

"But now they'll be 25kg heavier. The heavier they are, the more stable they are. It will not help," Villeneuve insisted.

"We will have a show when cars are lighter and more nervous. That will not be the case. Speed has nothing to do with the quality of the races.

"But it's not even the show that needs improving, as they claim. We must improve the sport. In particular, we need to give the teams more freedom," said the 48-year-old.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()