Verstappen has been nearly unbeatable since he secured his first Formula 1 championship under controversial circumstances in 2021. Since then, he has been on a path to greatness, adding a couple more world titles to his name, with a fourth title this season looking almost certain.
In addition to his championship success, Verstappen has notched up an impressive 36 Grand Prix victories since the beginning of 2022. While some sectors of the media and Formula 1 fans on reputable forums are expressing their boredom with Verstappen’s dominance as the King of F1, it’s important to remember that this level of domination is not unprecedented.
We have witnessed similar periods of dominance from other legendary drivers in the past, such as Lewis Hamilton with Mercedes, Sebastian Vettel at Red Bull, Michael Schumacher at Ferrari, and Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost at McLaren. It seems convenient for some to forget the tedium that accompanied these drivers’ reigns.
Jacques Villeneuve, speaking to the media team at OLBG, shared his thoughts on the matter in his typical straightforward style. He pointed out that drivers like Senna, Prost, Michael, and Lewis were also admired during their periods of dominance. Lewis, in particular, was praised for his consistent wins, often lapping the entire field in his Mercedes. Yet, no one complained about their dominance in the same way they do about Verstappen.
Villeneuve questioned why there is such a fuss about Verstappen’s dominance, suggesting that it may be because he is seen as a tough guy who can handle criticism. He believes that if Verstappen were a whiner or fake, trying to please everyone, no one would complain. Verstappen’s tough upbringing has shaped him into the racer he is today, and it has clearly paid off.
Villeneuve acknowledged that F1 is a high-profile sport, almost devoid of privacy. Unless a driver’s private life becomes everyone’s business, they will continue to face criticism. However, Verstappen remains unfazed by it all. He is solely focused on racing and winning, not concerned with being liked. Villeneuve admires Verstappen’s authenticity and straightforwardness, appreciating that there are no gray areas with him.
In many ways, Jacques sees similarities between Verstappen and his own father, F1 legend Gilles Villeneuve. Both drivers possess a no-nonsense, straight-shooting attitude that commands respect.
As Verstappen gears up for the Japanese Grand Prix this weekend, he aims to secure his 36th pole position and claim his 57th Grand Prix victory in his 189th race start.