<< Return to the news list

Williams allegedly bans Villeneuve from race weekend motorhome

Published on 19 Jul 2017 11:13
7
By: Fergal Walsh

Williams has reportedly banned 1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve from its motorhome after the Canadian has been very vocal about compatriot Lance Stroll. Stroll, who had a difficult start to his Formula 1 career, was branded as the "worst rookie in the history of F1" by Villeneuve.

Stroll hit back at the comments, stating that Villeneuve never has anything positive to say. Villeneuve attends all races with Sky Italia, who he works for as a commentator. Now, Williams has apparently put a restraining order on its former champion because of his comments.

"With regard to Jacques, he's obviously been pretty vocal in the media," said deputy team boss Claire Williams. "I don't want to go into a huge amount of detail about it. The way that Lance describes it, he just wants to get on and let his track performance do the talking.

"I think that's what we should do because that's when the critics will stop -- when Lance proves he deserves to be in Formula 1, which we all at Williams believe anyway," she insisted. "He has shown to have a strong character and personality, even under pressure."

At the Canadian Grand Prix, Stroll claimed his first points finish before a sensational drive in Azerbaijan saw him come away with his maiden podium. Williams stated that his progress is clear and that he is a superstar of the future.

"He has been interrogated more than most rookies are but always remained focused and has constantly improved. After the first six races, he was criticised a lot, but I always responded by recalling the debuts of Vettel, Ricciardo and Raikkonen. Honestly I didn't expect him to get on the podium this year, but now that it's happened, we can say that we have a superstar of the future with us."

Fergal Walsh

mbmwe36

Posts: 533

This headline made me chuckle for some reason.
Even though I have been (and still am) critical of Stroll, I'd say JV has been embarrassing with his constant, and very harsh critique of Stroll, and by proxy of Williams. I applaud Williams for taking a stand here actually, and be loyal to Stroll.

2
Jul 19 2017 - 13:16

F1 News Daniel Ricciardo Sebastian Vettel Kimi Räikkönen Lance Stroll Williams

Replies (7)

Barron

Posts: 625
JV is more than a little lugubrious and for that reason alone I would ban him from my own motor home, the little ray of sunshine. He has been quite hard on Stroll though and it is an unusual step to ban not only a famous corespondent but one of their own former World Champions! Boy! He must have pi&&ed someone off really bad...
- + 1
- Jul 19 2017 - 12:05
- mcbhargav
  
  Posts: 1,332
  He pi&&ed Sr. Stroll, the bank behind Williams.
  + 0
  
  Jul 19 2017 - 16:02
mbmwe36

Posts: 533
This headline made me chuckle for some reason.
Even though I have been (and still am) critical of Stroll, I'd say JV has been embarrassing with his constant, and very harsh critique of Stroll, and by proxy of Williams. I applaud Williams for taking a stand here actually, and be loyal to Stroll.
- + 2
- Jul 19 2017 - 13:16
- Barron
  
  Posts: 625
  An interesting take on it, and you're quite right. I can imagine JV enthusiastically partaking of Williams hospitality while knifing young Stroll (and, as you say, Williams by proxy) between the shoulder blades. I wonder if it is a Canadian thing as there are 2 distinct Canadas and no prizes for guessing JV's roots..
  + 0
  
  Jul 19 2017 - 16:09
boudy

Posts: 1,168
JV did support Stroll and was very critical of VES. However I do agree with some of his observations namely all the testing that Stroll is getting.

I am not impressed with either driver of Williams, they(Williams) deserve far better drivers than they currently have. I would love to see Rosberg come back and lose Stroll over someone like ricciardo. But that isn't going to happen soon.
- + 0
- Jul 19 2017 - 17:27
f1dave

Posts: 782
Judging by his comments he should be banned from attending F1 all together.
- + 0
- Jul 19 2017 - 21:12
calle.itw

Posts: 8,527
I really do not blame them for it.
- + 0
- Jul 20 2017 - 06:36