Jacques Villeneuve: I have a solution to the Mercedes problem

1997 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve summarized the results of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix and gave advice to Mercedes on how to solve the problem with the build-up of the car on the straights.

Jacques Villeneuve: “The circuit in Baku often spoils us with exciting races, but last Sunday all factors that could lead to great events were neutralized. The Grand Prix of Azerbaijan was disappointing in terms of spectacle, partly due to the inclusion of a virtual safety car mode. Twice!

In Magnussen’s case, I don’t understand it at all. His car was only halfway behind the protective fence, blocking the ambulance’s exit. I believe it should not be so. Also the second factor of an interesting race – Ferrari – was missing. Due to the double dropout, the Red Bull riders crossed the finish line in peace. Ferrari has the fastest car, but they take too little of that advantage. Drivers make mistakes, the strategy is not always smooth and now there are constant mechanical problems.

In my opinion, Charles Leclerc has almost nothing to blame. Aside from a mistake at Imola, he is a great pilot. It’s quite logical that the last three races have caused him grief, but I don’t quite approve of this attitude, as you win and lose together – the rider shouldn’t be allowed to distance himself from the team.

Ferrari has a problem. Three cars left Baku due to problems with the Ferrari engine. The problem with Carlos Sainz’s car is the hydraulics, but at least it’s still dangerous as his rear brakes gave out. All this is very disturbing, but they have a fast and easy to drive car.

Until the end of the season is still a long way off, and everything can change in the blink of an eye. I expect Red Bull to lose points. Mercedes, for example, will take points from them. Nothing has been decided yet. Red Bull was almost written off after the race in Australia, but look where they are now. This team has the strongest driver pair, although Sergio Perez was not too happy with his tire work in Baku. He’s usually good at it.

The advantage of Max Verstappen is that he is world champion and the team loves him for that. Max knows what to do, never gives up and, like Perez, makes a minimum of mistakes.

And look at George Russell. In the championship he takes a position just behind Leclerc, although his car is a second slower! Imagine that Mercedes finds a solution to the problem. I am impressed with how Russell makes the most of every opportunity.

Lewis Hamilton has certainly been through tough times, which are only made worse by back problems. And this is serious: injured vertebrae can cause problems for months, if not years. In the 1990s we also had similar problems due to the very low ground clearance. I remember very well hitting a bump on the track in Argentina and then I saw stars in my eyes – it felt like an electrical discharge was going through my body.

I understand the concerns of Russell and Toto Wolff, but I have a solution to the Mercedes problem: increasing the ride height. Nobody forces them to tune the car for such a low ride height, but maybe their car is sensitive to it because of the minimalist side pontoons.

Toto Wolff calls for the rules to be revised, but in my opinion these are no more than the usual political games in Formula 1. Mercedes is doing everything it can to close the gap with Red Bull and Ferrari, but at the same time wanting as little as possible change.

Then we go to Montreal for my home race. All tickets are sold, even for extra stands. However, the outlook for Canadian riders is not very bright. Nicholas Latifi is having a hard time and it looks like he’s had enough. It’s not easy for Lance Stroll either, but he has bad luck due to retirement.

Like everywhere else in the world, Formula 1 is very popular in Canada – the country is going crazy. I hope things start to improve in Canada for Latifi and Stroll.”