Jacques Villeneuve Rips into 'Weak' McLaren After 'Really Odd' Decisions

Jacques Villeneuve has strongly criticized McLaren for their strategy during the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, where they finished second and third. Villeneuve believes McLaren showed "weakness" by not being aggressive enough in chasing victory at Imola.

Max Verstappen won the race, making a bold move on Oscar Piastri at the start. Villeneuve noted that Piastri was caught "sleeping" at the first corner, which aided Verstappen.

After the safety car, McLaren chose not to swap Piastri and Lando Norris, despite Norris being on fresher tires. Villeneuve found this decision puzzling, especially since Norris had more pace.

"They show weakness, basically," Villeneuve said on Sky Sports F1. "They don’t show the strength that Red Bull are always showing year after year."

"It’s as if they’re afraid to be aggressive in trying to win the drivers’ championship and they’re afraid to go against Piastri. It’s really, really odd."

Villeneuve argued that McLaren knew Norris would inevitably pass Piastri and should have let him through sooner to challenge Verstappen.

"On the restart, McLaren knew that it was a matter of laps before Norris would have taken Piastri with the tyre difference, it was obvious."

"100% sure he [Norris] would get ahead, so why make him lose three laps instead of giving him a shot at Verstappen, because Verstappen is in for the championship."

McLaren 'seem happy with second and third'

Villeneuve suggested that McLaren seems content with finishing second and third, rather than pushing for a one-two finish, which he believes their car is capable of on a good weekend.

"Yeah, they seem to be happy with second and third. McLaren has a car where a good weekend means first and second."

"Anything less is a bit disappointing. First and third is fairly acceptable, but they seem happy with second and third."

Villeneuve feels McLaren should be more ambitious and prioritize challenging Red Bull and Verstappen for the championship.