Jacques Villeneuve blasted Toto Wolff's work at Mercedes for defending the FIA measure that seeks to combat porpoising, an effect that the German team has suffered on its cars
Formula One World Champion in 1997, Jacques Villeneuve was another to join the bandwagon of criticism about Mercedes and the FIA's decision to launch a technical directive to control porpoising in the 2022 F1 cars. The federation announced the implementation of a limit on porpoising in the cars, which has sparked criticism from several teams such as Red Bull and Ferrari.
In a column published on Dutch website Formule1.nl, Villeneuve criticized team boss Toto Wolff, and cited that porpoising is Mercedes' problem, not the FIA's. Wolff hit back at recent criticism from rival officials during the Canadian GP weekend.
"I have been less impressed by Toto Wolff and his campaign. They have always done their best to maintain their advantage over the years. Now they build a bad car, and that's their problem, not the FIA's. Other teams solved it, why should they now be punished with a rule change?", Villeneuve wrote.
Besides continuing to blame Mercedes for the defects of the W13, Villeneuve also criticized Wolff's argument on the drivers' health issue. Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton left the Azerbaijan GP, held on June 12, complaining of severe back pain.
"I think Mercedes found something now, like they were ready. They were rocking less and they were fast, and they certainly didn't lift the car, but I don't understand the constant complaints. Racing is dangerous, inhaling carbon from the brakes is bad for your health, as is G-force and dehydration during a long, hot race. Nobody forces Mercedes to get the car right like this," he concluded.