Jacques Villeneuve has cited the most important points he considered from the Canadian GP in his formule1.nl column.
Jacques Villeneuve cited the most important points he considered from the Canadian GP in his formule1.nl column.
Max Verstappen won the race in Montreal, surviving a safety-car at the end and a relentless attack by Ferrari's Carlos Sainz. But Villeneuve said Sainz didn't do the Clamp well before the main straight.
"Red Bull was really fast on the straights," he explained. "I had the impression that Sainz didn't do the clamp well, so he was always a bit behind Verstappen on the next long straight."
"For the rest of the lap Ferrari was strong, maybe stronger. But he didn't approach the clamp well - the most important moment of the lap. He couldn't make the clamp so as to attack on the straight," the 1997 F1 champion added.
"Verstappen has a big lead now, but he's still not far off," Villeneuve warned. "I keep saying that, the season is still long."
"We know he never weakens, he doesn't succumb to pressure," he continued. "Everything always works out for a champion, look at Hamilton in Imola last year, for example."
"Verstappen is also at the same moment as last year. Engine failure or strategic error, they are always lurking, but this time it was Perez who was affected and not Verstappen."
"But most likely it will happen with Verstappen again, it's almost inevitable," said the 51-year-old driver.
Hamilton back
"A few weeks ago, I criticized Lewis Hamilton a lot, so now I have to pay him a compliment."
"The car was competitive and Lewis had very strong driving," he added. "It's important for him that he made it to the podium."
"On Saturday he won the duel in qualifying after George Russell's bet. And Hamilton got the most out of the race, made the right decisions and also had speed."
"It's been a tough season and maybe this is the boost he needed. Maybe his bad times are behind him now and he's back in fighting mode," reflected the Canadian.