Jacques Villeneuve said he would be “worried” if he was in the position of Yuki Tsunoda in Red Bull, taking into account the performance of Isack Hadjar at Racing Bulls.
The 1997 F1 pilot champion expressed how it was impressed with the Frenchman, who, according to him, is already hitting a promotion to the team based in Milton Keynes, although she is only six complete rounds in his F1 career.
His beginnings, at the Australian Grand Prix, could not have won, the 20 -year -old crashing on the tour of the training. However, since then, he has been one of the out -of -competition drivers this season.
Villeneuve highlighted Hadjar’s response to this painful withdrawal when evaluating his step at F1. When he was asked what extent he had been impressed, the Canadian focused on how the Racing Bulls pilot adapted to the machinery at his disposal.
“Very well, because Melbourne could have been psychologically a very difficult moment, and he was just straight and continued – did not affect the next race too much,” replied Villeneuve Sky Sports F1.
“But he seems to be able to work with the team. He seems to understand the car, to put it in a window that allows him to drive well, because he seems to hunt this car.
“And why? Because he gets this configuration that makes him more comfortable for him. He can be aggressive. And if I was Tsunoda, I would be worried at the moment.”
Villeneuve maintained the marriage of the convenience of Red Bull with Tsunoda leaves the Japanese driver vulnerable.
And while Hadjar shone, Tsunoda had a hard time matching the form and results of Max Verstappen, marking only nine points in the four laps since the treatment of the seat of Liam Lawson.
To the last champion of Williams pilots, Hadjar now shows that he “could be ready” to assume the role of teammate of Verstappen, which is largely considered to be the most difficult motivation in F1.
“Remember, Tsunoda was only there because of Honda,” said the winner of the Grand Prix on 12 times, stressing Tsunoda’s support to the supplier of the outgoing power unit of Red Bull.
“They didn’t put it in the main car last year because they don’t want Tsunoda, but they had no choice when Lawson was not up to it.
“And they are afraid that Hadjar is simply too young, not ready, [Red Bull is thinking]: “Don’t burn it”, but he now shows that he could be ready. “”
