Former F1 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve did not hold back on his criticism of McLaren after their defeat at the Japanese Grand Prix, stating that the loss “should hurt” as they were outperformed by a superior team and driver.
Villeneuve expressed disappointment in McLaren’s strategy, particularly their failure to take risks in trying to overtake Max Verstappen. Despite both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri making it to the podium, they were unable to challenge Verstappen’s dominance at Suzuka.
The Canadian driver pointed out that McLaren missed the opportunity to secure a first and second-place finish, emphasizing that they were not defeated due to lack of speed but rather by the excellence of their competitors. Villeneuve criticized McLaren for not making a more aggressive pit strategy to try and outmaneuver Verstappen.
While McLaren’s team principal, Andrea Stella, defended their approach and allowed Norris and Piastri to race freely without team orders, Villeneuve believed that the team should have been more disappointed with the outcome.
Villeneuve’s remarks shed light on McLaren’s missed opportunity and the need for a more daring approach in challenging stronger opponents on the track. The criticism serves as a wake-up call for McLaren to reassess their strategies and aim for victory in future races.
