The McLaren F1 team is under fire after failing to secure a double win at the Japanese Grand Prix, with former world champion Jacques Villeneuve questioning their lack of disappointment.
Despite clinching a double podium finish and earning 33 valuable points for the constructor’s championship, McLaren is being criticized for not achieving a 1-2 victory at Suzuka. Many in the paddock believe that the papaya-colored cars were the fastest on the track in Japan but were outshined by the exceptional talent of Max Verstappen, even though he was driving an allegedly inferior car.
Jacques Villeneuve, the 1997 world champion, expressed his skepticism towards McLaren’s reaction, stating, “They don’t seem to be too disappointed. Which is strange because they should have been in first and second place.” Villeneuve didn’t hold back in his critique of the British team, emphasizing, “They weren’t slow, but they were beaten by a team and driver better than them, and that should hurt.”
Looking ahead, Villeneuve predicts tough times for Red Bull and Verstappen in the upcoming races, noting, “Max will always be ready to take everything he can, but his car will struggle in the heat. It’s not easy to set up, and it will be even harder in the hot conditions.”
The McLaren team now faces scrutiny and pressure to deliver stronger performances in the remaining races of the season, as their strategies and abilities are called into question following the missed opportunity in Japan.
