[Saba Sports News] Ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton paid tribute to legendary driver Gilles Villeneuve and casually made remarks about 1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve. The F1 race returns to Montreal at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. A iconic figure in Ferrari’s history, Gilles lost his life in a qualifying crash at the 1982 Belgian Grand Prix. His bold and aggressive driving style remains a symbol of F1’s golden era among fans.
Hamilton said he knew more about Jacques in his childhood due to frequent encounters, while he learned about Gilles through historical footage and documents. He noted Gilles drove right on the limit and excelled at keeping balance amid sliding, calling his driving extremely impressive. He then joked, “He is definitely far better than his son.”
Jacques Villeneuve is also a prominent figure in F1 history, claiming the world title driving for Williams in 1997. After retirement, he worked as a long-serving F1 pundit and often voiced sharp opinions. He has criticized Hamilton repeatedly in recent years, leaving the two on uneasy terms.
In my opinion, Hamilton’s words are merely playful banter rather than a definitive judgment, nor do they align with mainstream F1 views. The father and son are elite drivers of different eras with distinct racing styles, boasting unique feats and statuses. Ranking their strength lacks objective grounds.