Villeneuve slams Hamilton for late-season behaviour
- Published on 09 Dec 2015 11:17
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- By: Rob Veenstra
1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve has slammed Lewis Hamilton for his behaviour since winning the world championship in October. After wrapping up the title, Hamilton's earlier-dominant form mysteriously slumped just as teammate Nico Rosberg's surged.
Also obviously slumping, however, was the Briton's mood, former Williams driver and now television pundit Villeneuve claims. "Maybe losing the world championship to Lewis in the US GP changed him (Rosberg) psychologically," Villeneuve told the German-language Motorsport-Magazin.com.
"I don't know. But after that he was a killer. And Lewis reacted really badly and revealed a very negative side of his character. He showed that he cannot be humble. He has won three world championships but he could not be happy, behaving like a spoiled child who lost his toy. He has not behaved like a great champion," the French-Canadian charged.
Also unimpressed with Hamilton late this year are former British F1 drivers Martin Brundle and Derek Warwick, who think the 30-year-old should have attended an awards ceremony in London. Reports suggest Hamilton was instead in Canada to watch an NBA basketball game.
Brundle wrote on Twitter that Hamilton snubbing the ceremony was "sad", as it only would have taken "20 minutes to at least thrill/motivate young drivers he once was. Unwritten obligation," the Sky commentator said. Warwick, who like Brundle also raced in the 80s and 90s, agreed: "100 per cent right mate. Very disappointing and lost a lot of respect (for Hamilton) last night". (GMM)
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Replies (10)
Login to replydavey_p
Posts: 1
Who? Villeneuve had his time in the sun, and should move on. Brundle and Warwick have probably forgotten what it's like to be young and successful being as a) they weren't as successful and b) it was a very long time ago for them. Give the guy a break - I think it's great he has a life outside racing.
khasmir
Posts: 893
What can I say? I think I've made it clear already what I think of Hamilton his recent behavior.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Same here. To not even appear on his prize ceremony..
jackgoff123
Posts: 1
So missing a awards for going to meet President Barack Obama is a bad behavior at least is better than partying don't forget he went to the Paris Fia Gala as well.
Dale
Posts: 1
I guess people aren't allowed to do what they like in their spare time.. Always the same comments from bitter 'has beens' It's a shame you wasn't as good as your father Jacques.. Champions are never happy finishing 2nd - that is why they are champions, get it Jacques?
Hepp
Posts: 200
Although I rarely agree with Jaques, Lewis is a public figure (by his own choosing) and represents his team at all times, I agree with Toto, "This is not the Mercedes image we wish to portray."
Notasheep
Posts: 1
Jacques Villeneuve is a jealous washed up nonentity, he lucked into a championship and is not so often talked about or remembered. Hamilton is the only F1 driver I could remember whose life is so publicly dissected by his fellow peers, it is an afront to the man's dignity, we are not all of the same culture nor upbringing and if he chooses to live his life a certain way without the intervention of the authorities etc- who are we to tell him how to live his life?
Most people listens to Martin Brundle and latch onto his every words, but I ask them to look into Brundle's career and see if he has achieved anything with his presumed impeccable lifestyle that can be compared to Hamilton's, the same could be said of Warwick, after all he has shown to be very anti Hamilton with some of his statements many times over the years, these are failures who did not bring any significant recognition for British motorsports and so speaks of one of the most successful British driver ever with a tinge of envy.
We tend to hear how terrible Hamilton is but look at the facts, if he was as the media paints him, then why is all the main teams courted and still courts him?
He chose not to attend the meaningless presentation because it was not an official one, and these are the same hypocritical people who lashes out about him so it was a fitting middle finger to the hypocrites. Max Verstappen did the same to his hometown in Belgium but the media kept that quiet whereas Hamilton is game- shame on the British media for trying for the longest while to taint and discredit Hamilton's very successful stellar F1 career!
Norfolkinclue1
Posts: 1
Usual F1 noob, no idea about the history of the sport. To box off the three names you mention down to a lack of trophies as opposed to a massive and rich experience of F1 over many decades and generations shows how little you know, the most irony being awarded to your final sentence, you mention career, try looking harder at the "careers" of the 3 drivers you are happy to dismiss and try to understand that it's not just trophies but also experience that give you the right to an very very valid opinion rather than just a media based noob rant such as your own.........
TheHillsHaveEyes
Posts: 1
Am I the only Brit who doesn't like Hamilton, as a person that is, yes he's a racer but then so are all the rest, well El Crash-a-lot-Mdo maybe not as much, or you and I would be there and not them. I think the chip on his shoulder is slightly tilting his head to one side and with a pit of luck another driver with a slightly smaller chip will pass him whilst he's rapping to himself.
bob1963
Posts: 1
Jack is a petulant little prat, still sour after all these years that he was only a one hit wonder, and now spends his time insulting and criticizing every single champion since his lucky 1997 WDC. Go back to racing saloon cars jack, and singing records that sell at least 10 copies, you were better at that than you were in a formula one car you clown.