Watson backs Villeneuve in slamming F1 drivers

  • Published on 13 Apr 2016 12:41
  • comments 4
  • By: Rob Veenstra

Former F1 winner John Watson has backed Jacques Villeneuve in slamming the sport's current drivers. Although signed by the Grand Prix Drivers' Association (GPDA), it emerged in Bahrain recently that a letter critical of the management and governance of formula one was actually supported by the entire grid of active race drivers.

Villeneuve, the outspoken 1997 world champion, reacted to the letter this week by telling the drivers to "shut up". "I think he was being very polite," Watson, a former McLaren driver, told the British broadcaster Sky when asked about Villeneuve's comments.

When asked his own opinion about the GPDA letter, the 69-year-old Irishman added: "They're stating the obvious. What Jacques has said is basically right. I just want drivers to do what they're good at doing, and leave the other bits of formula one to the people who manage it very well."

Watson said it would be legitimate for the drivers to try to campaign behind the scenes for more involvement, such as a place on the FIA's World Council. "But constructing a letter like that, posting it (on Twitter), sending it to Bernie ... it was a joke," he added. (GMM)

f1dave

Posts: 782

Villeneuve, who is totally irrelevant in today's racing scene might also think about shutting up.

  • 1
  • Apr 13 2016 - 16:19

Replies (4)

Login to reply
  • f1dave

    Posts: 782

    Villeneuve, who is totally irrelevant in today's racing scene might also think about shutting up.

    • + 1
    • Apr 13 2016 - 16:19
    • khasmir

      Posts: 893

      LOL, you have a point but did not expect to read that from a Canadian ;-)

      • + 0
      • Apr 13 2016 - 18:39
  • f1dave

    Posts: 782

    His father was Canadian.

    • + 0
    • Apr 14 2016 - 16:00
    • khasmir

      Posts: 893

      I'm confused now. Jacques is Canadian too, no?

      • + 0
      • Apr 14 2016 - 18:39

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 01:17

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 01:17

World Championship standings 2025

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
14 - Mar 16
Australia
21 - Mar 23
China
4 - Apr 6
Japan
11 - Apr 13
Bahrain
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia
2 - May 4
United States of America
16 - May 18
Italy
23 - May 25
Monaco
30 - Jun 1
Spain
13 - Jun 15
Canada
27 - Jun 29
Austria
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom
25 - Jul 27
Belgium
1 - Aug 3
Hungary
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands
5 - Sep 7
Italy
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan
3 - Oct 5
Singapore
17 - Oct 19
United States of America
24 - Oct 26
Mexico
7 - Nov 9
Brazil
21 - Nov 23
United States of America
28 - Nov 30
Qatar
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
14 - Mar 16
Australia Albert Park
21 - Mar 23
4 - Apr 6
11 - Apr 13
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
2 - May 4
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
16 - May 18
23 - May 25
Monaco Monte Carlo
30 - Jun 1
13 - Jun 15
27 - Jun 29
Austria Red Bull Ring
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom Silverstone
25 - Jul 27
1 - Aug 3
Hungary Hungaroring
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
5 - Sep 7
Italy Monza
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
3 - Oct 5
17 - Oct 19
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
24 - Oct 26
7 - Nov 9
Brazil Interlagos
21 - Nov 23
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
28 - Nov 30
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar