Strong words from Jacques Villeneuve against Lawson: the Canadian champion has lashed out at Liam, siding with Red Bull
Jacques Villeneuve is known for his outspoken nature. The 1997 World Champion has never been one to hold back, particularly when it comes to figures in the paddock—especially drivers. The former Sky Sport Italia pundit delivered scathing remarks regarding Liam Lawson, who was dismissed by Red Bull. The New Zealander, now relegated to the Visa Cash App team in Faenza, has faced a heavy price for his poor start to the season, despite being defended by Max Verstappen.
In his place, Yuki Tsunoda steps in, making his debut in the RB21 of Milton Keynes at none other than the Japanese Grand Prix. Tsunoda, who will be driving a special white-liveried Red Bull for the occasion, will need to prove that Horner and Marko’s decision was the right one. His first objective? Outperform Lawson. The next? Closing the gap to Verstappen.
Villeneuve’s Harsh Criticism: “He Got Himself Stuck”
As expected, Villeneuve didn’t hold back. The 1971-born Canadian, now an F1 ambassador alongside fellow World Champion Jenson Button (2009) and three-time W Series winner Jamie Chadwick, spoke bluntly about Lawson’s situation in an interview with NZ Casino:
“These two races didn’t do much for him in the paddock. It’s very simple—that’s the risk you take”.
“When you start with Red Bull, you have to be at the top from the very beginning. That’s the price you pay for being part of the best team. Do you want to take that risk? Fine. But the flip side is that if it doesn’t work, you’ll pay a heavy price. I thought they might have given him three more races once the championship returned to Europe, to make a more measured decision”.
Then, his take on the young 2002-born driver’s personality: “You have to keep in mind that he entered F1 with a very arrogant attitude, claiming he would be amazing and carrying himself like a true racer. When the results don’t come, the backlash is even stronger. Actually, this is the worst performance ever in a Red Bull car. So, he’s paying the price. In a way, he got himself stuck”.
Photos: Oracle Red Bull Racing, Jacques_Villeneuve_Official