© NASCAR Whelen Euro Series / Stephane Azemard
Jacques Villeneuve gives his thoughts on whether the title battle between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen could be decided with a crash, like it happened between him and Michael Schumacher in 1997.
The 1997 Formula 1 champion Jacques Villeneuve, who is currently competing in the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series, was asked if he was surprised that Mercedes came back so strongly at the Brazilian and Qatar grands prix.
“Yes, because it was huge, all of a sudden,” the Canadian told La Gazzetta Dello Sport.
“Or they had something in reserve… I don’t know. It all seemed too sudden. Impressive.
“Let’s see if they can continue that line in the last two weekends. Lewis’ Mercedes this weekend is back on the engine it used at Interlagos.
“I think they are almost unbeatable with that engine.”
Villeneuve was then asked if he thinks Verstappen could put a new engine in ahead of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, to increase his car’s performance.
“No, because the Honda engine delivers the same number of horsepower from start to finish. The one from Mercedes is not only new, but it has something else in it…
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“It really feels like it’s from another planet.”
Villeneuve famously entered the final race of the 1997 season at Jerez with a one point deficit to Michael Schumacher.
As the Canadian feared, in the race Schumacher crashed into him in an attempt to take him out and win the championship.
Michael did not succeed however, as Jacques was able to finish the race and become the 1997 champion.
With the battle between Hamilton and Verstappen as close as it is, Villeneuve was asked if he thinks a similar situation could occur between the two drivers.
“Yes, because the battle is so close. But there is a difference whether it happens as a result of the fight or because someone does something ‘dirty’,” the Canadian concluded.
