Jacques Villeneuve has insisted that “nobody” would care if Max Verstappen left Formula 1 as opposed to if Lewis Hamilton departed the sport.
The ex-Canadian racing driver, who won the title in 1997, made the comment in reference to Ferrari’s signing of the seven-time World Champion Hamilton.
After 12 seasons with Mercedes, Hamilton announced his move to Maranello at the start of last year, and the Brit’s first taste of action as a Ferrari driver comes next week.
Hamilton will test an F1-75 at the team’s private Fiorano track and Italian journalist Roberto Chinchero predicts that the Tifosi will “fill” the streets to catch a glimpse of Ferrari’s newest signing.
However, Villeneuve is not taken aback by the hype surrounding Hamilton’s arrival.
“I’m not surprised,” he told the James Allen on F1 podcast.
“All the national media, not only the sports media, are giving a lot of space to the man Lewis Hamilton.”
He also believes it is the most “high-profile” driver change since Michael Schumacher joined Ferrari in 1996.
“Lewis Hamilton moving to Ferrari is the most high-profile F1 move since Michael Schumacher left Benetton for Ferrari,” he told Action Network.
“Independent of race results, Lewis Hamilton is the biggest driver of all time because of all the following he has.
“He’s very different, he’s unique – he’s broken the mould.
“There’s a lot that hangs on him – he has the biggest image, his image goes beyond F1, and there’s not many drivers like that.
“Take Verstappen out of F1, nobody cares. Take Hamilton out of F1, people care.
“So yes, it is the biggest signing and Ferrari is also one of the biggest brands in the world, if not the biggest.
“So put the two together, yeah, of course, it’s amazing.”
Signing Hamilton was Ferrari’s ‘best’ move ever
Not everyone agrees with the decision taken by Ferrari to drop Carlos Sainz for Hamilton, including Alpine’s Flavio Briatore who questioned the “sense” in the move.
Villeneuve responded to Briatore’s verdict, accusing him of being very “short-sighted”.
“That’s very short-sighted from Briatore suggesting he can’t see the logic of signing Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari,” he explained.
“You just have to look at the value of Ferrari the minute they signed him.
“You can’t look at Ferrari just as a racing team – it’s a whole industry.
“Yes, they are there to win, but winning helps them sell more cars and adds to the value of Ferrari.
“That’s what the business is and signing Lewis was worth millions and millions, so it was the best move they’ve ever done.”
Villeneuve believes it is a “win-win” situation for Ferrari to have Hamilton alongside Charles Leclerc, whilst discussing the ex-Mercedes star’s chances at a record eighth title.
“Lewis could have a shot at it,” he admitted.
“He finished on a high note – it will be an interesting battle between Lewis and Leclerc.
“You see what’s come out in the media at the moment, Ferrari is really pushing Lewis right now.
“There’s a big image happening – either he’s pushed and it’s amazing – and if it’s not, then it will pump Leclerc up.
“So basically it’s win-win for Ferrari right now.”
‘Age is not the issue’ says ex-Williams F1 driver
Hamilton turned 40 this month, sparking questions from the media over his ability as a driver heading into his 19th season in the sport.
Villeneuve defended the centurion race winner, using the 43-year-old F1 driver Fernando Alonso as an example.
“It depends if Lewis Hamilton has the same hunger as Fernando Alonso or not,” he highlighted.
“He still wants one championship, and he wants it with Ferrari.
“So that should be enough to give him the hunger.
“But if the going gets tough, will he just think, will I be [a] fighter and warrior like Alonso or will he think it’s time do something else with my life?
“But physically there’s no issue.
“He’s super fit, he’s super strong, he can go on another 10 years, there’s no problem there.
“But it’s all in the head and his desire.
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