Jacques Villeneuve Slams Kimi Antonelli as Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team Defend Him

Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s Formula 1 season took another difficult turn at Zandvoort after a high-profile mistake during the Dutch Grand Prix ended Charles Leclerc’s race.



The 19-year-old Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team driver has been under scrutiny for several months, with critics pointing to inconsistency and a lack of results compared to his teammate George Russell.



Heading into the summer break, Antonelli was already facing questions about his readiness for Formula 1.



His error against Leclerc only intensified the debate about whether he is progressing quickly enough at the elite level.



The weekend had been far from straightforward.



On Friday, Antonelli lost valuable track time after a mistake sidelined him for much of the practice session.



Qualifying also proved challenging as he could only manage eleventh fastest in Q2, while Russell secured a solid fifth place.



Despite these setbacks, Antonelli showed promising pace during the race and was climbing the order before a bold but misjudged move on Leclerc brought his progress to a halt.



The collision forced Leclerc’s retirement and left Antonelli at the center of controversy.



Villeneuve’s Unforgiving Verdict



One of the harshest critics of Antonelli’s Dutch GP performance was 1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve.



Speaking on Sky Sports, the Canadian did not hold back in his assessment of the Italian’s mistake.



“Very poor. A move that you might see in F4, F3, from a driver who doesn’t have experience and just not calculated the way it should be,” Villeneuve said.



“Look how far behind he was before the corner. He was two car lengths behind. On which planet did he think it would stick, that it would work out? Everyone knows that when you go down to the inside like this, that track doesn’t work.”



Villeneuve highlighted how Antonelli’s decision contrasted with examples from more experienced drivers, saying: “You really need to be next to the other driver, like Max. He was right up the gear on the outside and barely made it stick. It was just poor, poor calculation from his spot. He should be better than that in F1.”



Beyond One Mistake



For Villeneuve, the incident was more than just a case of over-aggression.



He argued that Antonelli’s judgment was fundamentally flawed, suggesting that his position in Formula 1 might be premature.



“When you’re in F1, you’ll make mistakes, you drive too hard, you’re on the limit, but that was not even that,” Villeneuve added.



“It was just badly calculated. He shouldn’t have done that. Then he got all riled up and (exceeded) speed limit as well. Maybe F1 is just too much for him.”



His comments underscore a broader concern that Antonelli, despite his promise, may not yet have the maturity required to consistently deliver at the top level.



Age No Excuse, Says Villeneuve



Antonelli turned 19 on August 25, making him one of the youngest drivers on the grid.



While some have defended him by pointing to his youth and relative inexperience, Villeneuve dismissed age as a mitigating factor.



“He’s in Formula 1. What age was Max when he arrived in F1? What age was Lewis when he arrived? So that’s not a good excuse,” he said.



By referencing Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, both of whom entered the sport as teenagers and made immediate impacts, Villeneuve reinforced his view that age cannot shield Antonelli from criticism.



Future Under Scrutiny



The clash in Zandvoort has placed Antonelli under a brighter spotlight, with every future performance likely to be dissected.



The Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team has invested heavily in the Italian’s development, but patience may be tested if errors continue to overshadow flashes of speed.



While Antonelli has already shown moments of genuine pace, his ability to translate raw talent into consistent results remains in question.



For now, the challenge ahead is clear.



Antonelli must respond with stronger performances in the remaining races to silence his critics and prove he belongs among Formula 1’s elite.



Whether Villeneuve’s biting comments serve as motivation or a further weight on his shoulders remains to be seen.
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