P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Jacques Villeneuve offers words of wisdom to Mercedes
Jacques Villeneuve recently offered advice to Mercedes regarding Kimi Antonelli’s struggling performance. The 1997 F1 champion criticized Antonelli’s clash with Charles Leclerc, comparing it to lower tier racing maneuvers. Villeneuve questioned if F1 might be too demanding for Antonelli, emphasizing the need for the driver to take responsibility for improving his performance. Despite Jeremy Clarkson defending Antonelli, Villeneuve remained unsympathetic. He emphasized that it’s the driver’s responsibility to elevate their own performance, while Mercedes can provide support and create a conducive environment. Despite Antonelli’s young age of 19, his recent performances have been lackluster, only managing to score points in two out of the last nine races. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff confirmed Antonelli and George Russell for the F1 2026 driver lineup, settling any speculation.
