In an interview with Autosport, former Formula 1 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve said he was not happy at all with the arrival of a teenager, Max Verstappen in F1 next year.
The French Canadian explained that the current Super Licence system is flawed when a 17-year-old can graduate so easily to F1.
"Getting a Super License should be meaningful, not just doing 300km in an F1 car and it being fine," Villeneuve told Autosport Friday.
"There is something that is flawed there. 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?” questioned Villeneuve.
"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, 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 added.
The 1995 IndyCar champion also explained that Max Verstappen's arrival will not be good for F1 even if he is successful right away.
"It is the worst thing ever for F1 because it will have two effects," Villeneuve continued.
"It will either destroy him [Verstappen] or, even if he is successful right away, then F1 will be meaningless.
"What will F1 be? It will be nothing. It doesn't do any good for anyone. It does a good splash of publicity now for Red Bull but putting a Red Bull helmet on his head for four years probably would have been better,” the outspoken Canadian said.
The French Canadian explained that the current Super Licence system is flawed when a 17-year-old can graduate so easily to F1.
"Getting a Super License should be meaningful, not just doing 300km in an F1 car and it being fine," Villeneuve told Autosport Friday.
"There is something that is flawed there. 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?” questioned Villeneuve.
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| Jacques Villeneuve (Photo: René Fagnan) |
"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, 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 added.
The 1995 IndyCar champion also explained that Max Verstappen's arrival will not be good for F1 even if he is successful right away.
"It is the worst thing ever for F1 because it will have two effects," Villeneuve continued.
"It will either destroy him [Verstappen] or, even if he is successful right away, then F1 will be meaningless.
"What will F1 be? It will be nothing. It doesn't do any good for anyone. It does a good splash of publicity now for Red Bull but putting a Red Bull helmet on his head for four years probably would have been better,” the outspoken Canadian said.