Jacques Villeneuve criticized the "idiots" who stormed the circuit to disrupt the British GP at Silverstone last Sunday.
Jacques Villeneuve criticized the "idiots" who stormed the circuit to disrupt the British GP at Silverstone last Sunday.
Lewis Hamilton defended the protesters, although Mercedes convinced the seven-time world champion to back down in a subsequent team statement.
Sebastian Vettel also showed his support. "I think these people are not acting out of frustration, they are desperate," he said. "I understand their fears and concerns very well."
However, he acknowledged that such attitudes "put people involved in the race weekend at risk."
On the other hand, Villeneuve, the 1997 world champion, was harsh on the "idiots."
"I was shocked by the images," he told the Dutch publication . "How stupid can you be?"
"Do they have any idea how dangerous it is for themselves and the drivers? Cars coming towards you at 300 km/h is a bit different than running naked in a field. Completely ridiculous."