Jacques Villeneuve has lamented the lack of “heroes” on today’s formula one grid.<\/p>\n
But the outspoken 1997 world champion says it is not just the drivers’ fault, as the F1 of today does not bring out the “wild animal” in them.<\/p>\n
“The rules are too restrictive,” French Canadian Villeneuve told Schwetzinger Zeitung newspaper.<\/p>\n
“I have always regarded formula one as an extreme sport, but not really anymore,” he said.<\/p>\n
“The sport is no longer pure enough, because of the rules.\u00a0 Everything has become much too artificial,” the 43-year-old insisted.<\/p>\n
That, Villeneuve says, means an easier time for the drivers.<\/p>\n
“The drivers no longer have to make a real effort,” said the former Williams and Honda driver.<\/p>\n
“You used to come into formula one maybe still as a 20-year-old, but you would already be a man.\u00a0 Now you get the impression they think racing is like playing with lego.”<\/p>\n
And Villeneuve said the latest rules overhaul has proved the final straw for many departing viewers and spectators.<\/p>\n
“It is boring, we’re losing fans,” said the winner of 11 grands prix, who now attends the races as a television pundit.\u00a0 “You can feel that something is missing.”<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Villeneuve tipped former champions Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel to leave their current teams.<\/p>\n
“Lewis Hamilton will not be at Mercedes for long,” he told Sport Bild.\u00a0 “Everyone in the German team wants a German to be world champion.<\/p>\n
“Lewis was only brought in to make Nico (Rosberg) even better.”<\/p>\n
As for quudriple title winner Vettel, Villeneuve said: “Sebastian has to leave Red Bull.<\/p>\n
“The public is already changing its opinion of him, as in a middle class car, he is starting to look like a middle-class driver.”<\/p>\n
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