Villeneuve Defends Hamilton's Dutch GP Crash: 'Could Happen to Anyone, Including Verstappen'

Jacques Villeneuve asserts Lewis Hamilton's Dutch Grand Prix crash was an unavoidable incident, not a driver error.

Why it matters

Former F1 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve's defense of Lewis Hamilton underscores the unpredictable nature of racing conditions and how even elite drivers can be caught out by them.

The incident

Hamilton crashed into the wall on Lap 23 at Turn 3 during the Dutch Grand Prix, triggering a Safety Car. He had qualified in a promising seventh place and expressed optimism about the weekend's progress.

Villeneuve's take

Villeneuve explained his view on Sky Sports' F1 podcast:

• "That Lewis mistake could have happened to anyone. Every driver, including Max Verstappen, has been caught out in situations like this."
• He likened it to driving on a winter road and suddenly hitting black ice, emphasizing, "You have no way to know when it will slide just that little bit more."
• Villeneuve suggested Hamilton was "maybe just a few inches higher, a little bit more drizzle, and got caught out."
• He stressed that while it "looks bad" and like a "silly mistake," such incidents are unpredictable and unavoidable for drivers.

Hamilton's perspective

Despite the unfortunate incident, Hamilton remained positive about his performance and the team's advancements throughout the weekend.

What's next

Hamilton recently unveiled a special helmet design for the Italian Grand Prix, a tribute to the late Niki Lauda, his first as a Ferrari driver at Monza.