F1 world champions unanimously agree: these qualities deliver titles

20:51, 22 Aug

byKevin Doldersum

Seven world champions, together holding 15 Formula 1 titles, gathered around a table to discuss a range of topics within the pinnacle of motorsport. Among them, Mario Andretti and Jacques Villeneuve tackled the question: What qualities does an F1 champion truly need?

The American spoke first: ''Passion, passion and love. Obviously, you know, you have to think for the sky. You don't settle for anything. You need to think of things that almost seem impossible,'' the 1978 world champion said in a video on the Formula 1 YouTube channel.

Why is this so important? Andretti also had an answer to that. He stated: ''You're in a world where there's always someone better than you, but how do I overcome that?''

''How much, harder do I have to work? And you always sort of measure yourself against your competition. And you admire everyone around you, obviously, because what they have accomplished. How do I do the same thing? And maybe even better? So all of that drives you to work harder.''

Mario Andretti during the Miami GP

Villeneuve aligns with Andretti

Nevertheless, the 85-year-old Andretti is convinced that there's one thing just as important as your own effort in Formula 1: ''You got to have the equipment, a team with a capital T to be able to give you or furnish you with the equipment capable of achieving that.''

Jacques Villeneuve, world champion with Williams in 1997, agreed with Andretti. He stressed the importance of work ethics and that you should always assume there will be better drivers, even if you're a world champion.

The Canadian finally said: ''You need both, but it takes also work ethic. And you always have to remind yourself someone can do it better than me.''

''What can I do for the next step? Even if you won everything you think, "okay, I'm fantastic" No you're not. There's something you can always do better. So you don't get caught out.''