Mar.18 (GMM) Jacques Villeneuve has defended Components 1’s controversial 2026 rules – at the same time as criticism from present drivers continues to accentuate.
Amid contemporary complaints from the likes of Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris, the 1997 world champion insists the brand new period remains to be producing entertaining racing.
“It’s completely different racing, nevertheless it’s enjoyable,” Villeneuve advised Sky Deutschland.
“So what would you like? You need a good present? We’ve got present.”
Nevertheless, the Canadian admitted that drivers of his personal technology could not have embraced the brand new model.
“In the event you had rules like this again within the day and also you requested us what we thought of them, I feel each Ralf (Schumacher) and I’d hate them,” he stated.
“We got here into racing and it was powerful and brutal, and now it’s completely different. Drivers want a special talent set. However you continue to see the perfect up entrance.”
Villeneuve additionally warned that any present novelty issue could not final.
“The primary two races have been enjoyable as a result of it’s new, we don’t know what to anticipate,” he stated.
“Nevertheless, if now we have 10 races with precisely the identical setup, in some unspecified time in the future it’ll grow to be cliche.”
A lot of the present criticism centres on the heavy vitality administration calls for of the vehicles – notably on the higher-speed circuits.
Sainz, a director of the GPDA, is amongst these involved about how the rules will play out at iconic venues later within the season.
“On a monitor like China, they’re not so unhealthy as a result of it’s simpler to recharge,” he advised Spanish media.
“However I feel they’ll have to be reworked in Melbourne, Monza, and Spa, as a result of even with improvement, it gained’t be sufficient.
“I’m one hundred pc positive that this isn’t the Components 1 I need to see.”
World champion Norris shares these issues, warning that the brand new model of racing may basically change the character of circuits like Spa-Francorchamps.
“You’re not going to enter Pouhon and see who has the most important balls,” he stated.
“You’re simply going to see who can elevate on the proper time and use the throttle with out draining the battery.
“It’s most likely not one thing any of us wished to do rising up.”
Former driver Ralf Schumacher, additionally talking to Sky Deutschland, has in the meantime referred to as for extra restraint from a few of the sport’s most vocal critics – notably Max Verstappen.
“He shouldn’t begin speaking about Mario Kart,” Schumacher stated, referring to Verstappen’s description of the brand new guidelines.
Schumacher steered Crimson Bull is now lacking a powerful authoritative determine like Dr Helmut Marko to handle the state of affairs internally.
“They want somebody who may also say to Max – cease, that’s sufficient,” he stated.
Whereas Verstappen has insisted he’s dropping enjoyment in Components 1, Schumacher doubts the Dutchman is critical about strolling away.
“If he says he would have extra enjoyable elsewhere, I gained’t take him significantly,” he stated.
