Jacques Villeneuve Doubts Ferrari's Monza Hopes: "Won't Cut It"

Ferrari is preparing for its crucial home race, the Italian Grand Prix at Monza. Yet, 1997 Formula 1 world champion Jacques Villeneuve has heavily dampened expectations, stating Ferrari's usual home advantage "won't cut it" this year.

Why it matters

Performing at Monza for the passionate Tifosi is vital. Villeneuve's blunt assessment highlights Ferrari's deep struggles, making a strong result challenging despite immense fan pressure.

Villeneuve's direct critique

On The F1 Show podcast, Villeneuve offered a scathing analysis:

• "Normally they have a special engine, special car, but I don't expect that this year. They are way off. The car is not working."
• He added, "A little extra won't cut it right now" for Monza.
• Regarding Charles Leclerc, Villeneuve commented: "Charles is frustrated because he's probably starting to understand that he will never be world champion. It's gone bad, it's gotten worse."
• Villeneuve further claimed Ferrari, while second in constructors', is merely "the fourth horse," benefiting from single-driver scoring by Red Bull and Mercedes.

Recent performance issues

Ferrari's season has been plagued by inconsistency. The Dutch Grand Prix exemplified their difficulties:

• Charles Leclerc crashed out during qualifying at Zandvoort's Turn 3 after losing traction.
• His race ended prematurely on lap 40 after a collision with Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli. The team's overall performance has been "visibly laboured" despite their championship position.

Monza outlook

Monza is Ferrari's most significant race. While their Niki Lauda tribute livery honors heritage, Villeneuve implies that only genuine performance, not sentiment, will satisfy the demanding home crowd.