1997 Formula 1 world champion Jacques Villeneuve, known for his outspoken comments, has described the signing of 16-year-old Max Verstappen “the worst decision ever” for the sport.
The Canadian has heavily criticised Red Bull and Toro Rosso’s decision to give the Dutch driver a seat, despite him only having competed in one season of Formula 3 so far.
He also has no F1 experience and is therefore required to complete 300km of running in an old car to gain a Super Licence which will allow him to take part in an official F1 session.
“Getting a Super Licence should be meaningful, not just doing three hundred kilometres and it being fine,” he told Autosport.
“Basically, it’s like getting all the presents without deserving anything. But there is this thing of ‘the younger, the better’. What’s the next step? A team who will sign someone at 15 just to get the image out of it?
“He is still a boy so it is very risky. You don’t take a 16-year-old, who hasn’t even been to university, [put him] in the best hospital as a doctor even if he is very good and very intelligent.
“You need to pay dues; you need to deserve it because that is only how you will become a man.”
Villeneuve believes the decision can only have a negative outcome either for Verstappen or the sport.
“It is the worst thing ever for Formula 1 because it will have two effects. It will either destroy him or, even if he is successful right away, then F1 will be meaningless,” he added.
“What will F1 be? It will be nothing. It doesn’t do any good for anyone.”
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