Jacques Villeneuve on Michael Schumacher
It is no secret that there was never any sporting love between Jacques Villeneuve and Michael Schumacher. The two were rivals, especially in the 1996 and 1997 seasons, when the German was trying to bring a world title back to Maranello—a goal he would only achieve a few years later during Ferrari’s golden era of triumphs. They fought wheel-to-wheel, and sometimes even closer, as in the controversial Jerez incident, never holding back in their exchanges.

Years later, however, the Canadian champion revealed that the Kaiser had softened during his second stint in F1, when, in his forties, he returned to the paddock as a Mercedes driver.

“My relationship with Michael Schumacher? Back then,” Jacques Villeneuve said in a lengthy interview with yaysweepstakes.com, “there was no relationship. When you don’t have a connection with someone, you don’t even notice who does. You’re simply not in their circle. It was easier to interact with him when he returned with Mercedes, but that’s something you see with many drivers. They step away for a couple of years, and when they come back, they seem to appreciate how extraordinary racing and F1 truly are. And they enjoy it more. I’d say he ‘softened’—that’s the word I was looking for. You see it with Fernando Alonso, for example. You see it with everyone. They step away and then return for a while.” – he pointed out.

Lewis Hamilton and the F1 title record
Understanding Michael Schumacher’s ruthless competitive nature, the 53-year-old Canadian is convinced that the German would not be pleased to see Lewis Hamilton win his eighth title with Ferrari:

“No one who holds a record wants to be beaten. It’s part of the game—that’s why you’re an athlete. Every driver, myself included, has always said that the number of wins doesn’t matter, that records don’t matter, but that’s not true. You don’t want to seem pompous or arrogant, so you say numbers aren’t important. But of course, they are. It’s part of your ego, part of why you race. You want to win, you want to beat everyone, you want to be the best. You want results, victories, championships, and the highest salary. That’s how you measure yourself. It’s crucial.” – the former Formula 1 driver concluded.

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In less than twelve months, we will experience a regulatory change, with cars that will be very different from the current ones. Being prepared for this will be crucial to avoid having to play catch-up from the start.

Between 2025 and 2026, where should the focus be?
Despite this, some top teams might choose to set aside the new project somewhat to concentrate all their efforts on winning the championship that will start at the Albert Park circuit in Melbourne. This was precisely one of the topics discussed by Jacques Villeneuve in a lengthy interview given on the eve of the new Formula 1 season.

“It’s difficult to make a prediction about the new season. A lot will depend on which teams decide to neglect the 2026 project a bit to win immediately. And this could obviously have repercussions for next year,” Jacques Villeneuve told Yaysweepstakes. “A great strategic plan will be needed, and it will be interesting to see how the various teams organize themselves.” – the Canadian pointed out.

“If I had to bet on a team that would rather abandon the 2026 project just to win in 2025, well, I would say without a doubt Ferrari. They have just signed Hamilton, so they will want to take advantage of every opportunity. If they have a chance to win the title, they will do everything to achieve it,” the former driver added.

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Lewis Hamilton signs with Ferrari and celebrates his 40th birthday: for some, the English champion’s not-so-young age might affect his performance. Jacques Villeneuve also shared his thoughts on the matter.

After leaving behind his latest lackluster season with the Brackley team, Sir Lewis packed his bags for a move. Starting in 2025, he will embark on a new adventure in Maranello, wearing the Ferrari suit at the age of 40.

Jacques Villeneuve on Sir Lewis: Is Age Just a Number?
Will age be a factor? Jacques Villeneuve spoke to *ActionNetwork*: “It depends on whether Hamilton has the same hunger as Alonso or not. He still desires a championship, and he wants it with Ferrari. That should be enough to keep him hungry.”

“From a physical standpoint, I have no doubts,” explained the Canadian champion. “He’s absolutely fit, he’s strong, he could continue for another ten years; there’s no issue there. It all comes down to his mindset and desires. In sports, it’s always a mental factor, not a physical one.”

“It’s about being mentally prepared to give everything, to train hard, and to focus solely on the goal. At some point, that goal might lose its significance. That’s when you lose your edge—it’s not directly a physical decline.” – the former Formula 1 driver pointed out.

The former driver’s only doubt concerns how Lewis Hamilton might adapt to a challenging season. “If things turn out to be difficult, will he prove to be a warrior like Alonso, or will he decide it’s time to focus on something else in life?” – Jacques Villeneuve concluded.

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Jacques Villeneuve’s opinion
During an interview with Action Network, Jacques Villeneuve was asked to comment on the statements made by the Italian manager. The 1997 world champion’s analysis is quite intriguing, as it frames Lewis Hamilton’s arrival at Ferrari within a much broader context than just F1:
“It is very short-sighted of Briatore to suggest he doesn’t understand the logic behind his signing. Just look at Ferrari’s stock value when they announced it. You can’t look at Ferrari just as a racing team; we’re talking about an entire sector. They are in F1 to win, but winning helps them sell more cars and increase Ferrari’s value. This is business, and signing Lewis Hamilton has been worth millions and millions, making it the best move they’ve ever made.”

Jacques Villeneuve has thus given his blessing to the seven-time world champion’s arrival in Maranello:
“Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari is the most significant F1 decision since Michael Schumacher left Benetton for Ferrari. Regardless of race results, Hamilton is the most important driver of all time in terms of his following. We’re talking about a unique figure who has broken the mold, with an image that goes beyond F1. And there aren’t many drivers like him.”

The Canadian then concludes his reasoning with a striking statement:
“If you take Verstappen out of F1, no one will care; if you take Hamilton out, people will care.”

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Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari, for Jacques Villeneuve, would be the move that secures the British driver’s immortality in F1. With a career now richer than any other driver in history – matching Michael Schumacher’s number of titles – the next step is naturally aiming for an eighth world championship with Maranello. This goal could solidify him among the absolute legends of motorsport.

Some argue it’s just a marketing move, others label it simply as a “wrong” choice, while some see it as pure romanticism. There are many opinions about seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton’s potential move to Ferrari, and many more will be voiced. Jacques Villeneuve brings a dose of rationality to the discussion.

The Canadian believes Lewis Hamilton’s choice is a completely worthwhile gamble: having already won everything, it makes sense to seek to crown his career with a triumph at Ferrari. Another title with Mercedes would not carry the same allure as an eighth with Ferrari. Winning in the Red of Maranello would make him immortal.

Lewis Hamilton, with Ferrari to Make F1 History
“[Ferrari] is the next step to becoming the greatest driver ever,” Jacques Villeneuve explains to Grosvenor Sport. “Winning again with Mercedes wouldn’t matter, but winning with Ferrari? There’s nothing more important in the world after everything he’s achieved.”

“When he signed, there was nothing on which to base his opinion: all he knew was where Mercedes had ended up. It was time to move. Sometimes you have an intuition, take a big leap, and hope the other ship is better. Then you look like a hero, just like when he went to Mercedes and people wondered if he was crazy to leave McLaren. It turned out to be a good decision.” – the former Williams driver pointed out.

“When he signed, Ferrari wasn’t what it is today. That’s what needs to be understood: it’s Ferrari, the biggest name in the automotive and motorsport industry. If he manages to win with Ferrari, he’ll be immortal forever. That’s it. And he will cement his name, it’s that simple. And if he doesn’t win, he’ll still have all his records. It would just be the final step, worth the risk.” – Jacques Villeneuve concluded.

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The disaster in Austin
The recent United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas in Texas turned into a real sporting nightmare for seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, who is about to conclude his journey with Mercedes, which began in 2013. After qualifying 17th, failing to reach Q2, the Brit’s race nearly ended immediately as he lost control of the car on lap 3 and ended up in the gravel.

The causes
This result has divided fans: some attribute it to an off-weekend for #44, while others believe it reflects a Lewis Hamilton already looking toward 2025, when he will start his adventure with Ferrari. There are also those who see this weekend as a sign of a mental shift in Sir Lewis, which could hinder him from achieving top-level results.

Jacques Villeneuve’s advice
This view is shared by another world champion, Jacques Villeneuve, who advised Lewis Hamilton, speaking to Canada Casino, to change his mindset before joining Ferrari: “I don’t think Lewis is thinking about Ferrari; he’s thinking about himself and how things have been going badly for him,” Jacques Villeneuve explained. “It’s the first time he’s really gone off track like that in a long race. He’s not in a good place, and that’s not good for his driving. He needs to get out of this mindset before going to Ferrari.”

Lewis Hamilton less competitive
Currently 6th in the Drivers’ standings, Lewis Hamilton has won this year in England and Belgium, but according to Jacques Villeneuve, the seven-time Formula 1 world champion has not been able to regain the right mindset after the summer break: “It’s hard when there are so many back-to-back races,” he continued. “There’s no time to change, but he only had three weeks off and didn’t come back better. I have no idea what’s going through his mind, but he’ll be glad that Ferrari has a better car than Mercedes. He’s no longer the ‘killer’ we saw in the past. He needs to regain his form and attitude before transferring because Ferrari is not an easy team.” – the former Formula 1 driver concluded.

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Jacques Villeneuve, the 1997 Formula 1 world champion, commented on Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari, scheduled for 2025.

Jacques Villeneuve’s comments

These are the statements from the former Williams driver: “That team might have the final piece Mercedes needs to win him another title. At Ferrari, he will have the potential to drive like Max Verstappen does now,” he said to *Instant Casino*.

“This could enhance his mental focus throughout the season, as it is a new challenge. And winning would rightfully confirm his place among the best in history,” the 1997 Formula One world champion added in conclusion.

The comparison made by Jacques Villeneuve is unusual: what does he mean by “he could drive like Verstappen does now”? Only he knows, but one thing is certain: Lewis Hamilton is ready to give his all to Ferrari to become the most successful driver ever.

Doing it in Red would be even more special, considering that the rival he needs to surpass is none other than Michael Schumacher, who won five world titles at Maranello.

After all, everyone knows it, and the key figures in Formula 1 also say it: winning with Ferrari is different from any other team.

It’s different because of the history, the name, and – in this case – because of a long drought of successes that has lasted uninterrupted since 2008. Will Lewis Hamilton be the man of destiny? We’ll just have to wait and see.

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As reported by racingnews365, the Canadian emphasized that despite the efforts of Mick Schumacher and his team, “no one seems to be going out of their way to have him on the team.” After being dropped by the American team, the German left the Ferrari Driver Academy at the end of the 2022 Formula 1 championship and has served as a reserve driver for Mercedes. Thanks to Alpine, he took part in the FIA World Endurance Championship, participating this year in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Despite the fact that he hasn’t been behind the wheel of a single-seater for quite some time, the former Ferrari has reiterated that his goal is to return to the F1 circus as soon as possible, and despite the seat left vacant by Esteban Ocon at Alpine for 2025, it is believed that spot will go to young rookie Jack Doohan. Below are some of Jacques Villeneuve’s most important comments.

Jacques Villeneuve’s comments
Jacques Villeneuve, interviewed by Instantcasino.com, speaking about Mick Schumacher’s situation, said: “It seems that no team wants Mick Schumacher to drive for them. Mick and his team have been pushing, but no one seems to be going out of their way to have him on their team.” – the Canadian pointed out.

The Canadian then concluded his remarks by saying: “The problem is that his years in F1 did not end positively, he could do better and show promise in the position he is in, but the evidence is clear. For teams, it’s worrying: do they want to take the risk of hoping Mick is better than he was? At the moment, it doesn’t seem so.” – the 1997 Formula One World Champion concluded.

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In a comment to ‘Instantcasino.com’, 1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve shared his opinion on the current form of the seven-time Formula 1 world champion: “Lewis is back fighting at the top, which hasn’t happened in a while. At Silverstone, he was unstoppable. From the outside, it seemed like he had somewhat accepted defeat to George Russell, which is quite unusual for him. We can say his killer instinct has returned, and he made a difference in the rain. This is the champion we know,” – the Canadian pointed out.

Ferrari Will Be a Tough Challenge for Hamilton, But If He Wins a Championship…

In 2025, Lewis Hamilton will join Scuderia Ferrari, where he will have to work alongside Charles Leclerc. Unlike Mercedes, the Maranello team is going through a significantly more challenging period due to some aerodynamic updates that have not worked as expected.

The Prancing Horse is known for its performance fluctuations throughout the Formula 1 season, and the Canadian believes this could impact Lewis Hamilton’s consistency: “Hamilton will be subjected to a rollercoaster of emotions at Ferrari. He seems to drive in a very emotional way, and this could affect him.” – the former Formula 1 driver believes.

The challenge will be tough, but if Lewis Hamilton successfully overcomes it, Jacques Villeneuve believes there would be no more doubt about who the greatest F1 driver of all time is: “Lewis Hamilton needed a change; he won’t regret leaving Mercedes at the end of this year. Ferrari represents the ultimate challenge for Lewis, and if he wins a championship there, he will be remembered as the greatest of all time. It doesn’t matter how many championships you have; these challenges are what set you apart.” – the 1997 Formula One World Champion concluded.

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Decision in the Short Term
All options that the Spanish driver has been carefully considering for some time, but the latest advice for Carlos Sainz came from Jacques Villeneuve. The 1997 world champion, in an interview with OLBG, stated that the current Ferrari driver should not wait much longer before making a definitive decision: “He’s probably still hoping for Mercedes, thinking that Antonelli might not be good enough and that the seat could be available for a few years – explained the Canadian – but by playing the waiting game, you might find yourself the last one standing, and that’s not a good thing. When you get a good offer and delay, at some point you anger the others and they don’t want you anymore. You end up signing very late and make it clear to that team that it was only your third choice. That’s not the best thing to do either.” – the former Formula 1 champion pointed out.

Carlos Sainz’s Qualities
For Jacques Villeneuve, therefore, it is essential that Carlos Sainz doesn’t delay excessively before signing with a new team, but the former Williams driver has nonetheless praised the Spaniard for other characteristics: “He has a great work ethic and excellent adaptability – he said – he works well with engineers, his feedback is excellent and pays off. He has great value. He is fast and competitive and seems to react well under pressure.”

“When Ferrari dropped him, he didn’t react badly – he concluded – he responded calmly, and that makes a difference. Teams like that. He would be perfect for Williams, who need two such drivers. They are on the rise.”

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