Villeneuve makes remarkable statement: 'Abu Dhabi 2021 was not so bad'

Jacques Villeneuve was annoyed with the race directors during the Italian Grand Prix. In his column for Formule1.com he states that the finish in Abu Dhabi was not so bad compared to this.

Ending behind a safety car

A late retirement of Daniel Ricciardo brought a safety car on the track in the final phase of the Italian GP. Where many had hoped that the race would resume, things went wrong with race control. Not only did it take longer than expected to get the McLaren car out of the way, but the safety car also picked up the wrong leader first.

As a result, the race was finished behind the safety car, much to the displeasure of the fans and also the drivers. A race should never, ever end behind the safety car'', the Canadian stated in his column. Villeneuve, former IndyCar champion, again that finishing behind a safety car is impossible in America. You want to entertain the fans.

Abu Dhabi 2021

That did not happen now and that made some think back to 2021. While Mercedes mainly points to the fact that now the rules are being respected, Villeneuve looks at it from the other side. It made me realise that last year was not so bad. Mistakes were made, but there was always the intention to race again as soon as possible.''

The FIA will have to look again at the safety car regulations after this incident. Yet another finish behind the safety car raises questions. Fans want to see a finish with racing cars. That is only possible if the rules are changed. A red flag when a safety car is left just before the end of the race is a good alternative in that respect.