Oscar Piastri in Baku - Photo: Race Pictures

Villeneuve 'bursts' the Piastri 'bubble' after Baku GP debacle

13:52, 25 Sep

byNorberto Mujica

Jacques Villeneuve believes Oscar Piastri’s crash in Baku could be a sign that McLaren are not yet ready to fight for the world championship.

Oscar Piastri crashed during Baku qualifying and will start P9 in the race. Photo: RacePictures.

“Piastri’s crash showed that his bubble there was a bit burst. Is it a one-off?"

- Jacques Villeneuve

The 1997 Formula 1 champion was left surprised by the Australian’s early exit and pointed to a wider lack of sharpness across the team’s weekend.

Piastri’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix ended before it had even begun. After crashing in qualifying and starting from ninth, the 24-year-old locked up at Turn 5 on the opening lap of the race and went straight into the barriers, recording his first DNF of the season.

Villeneuve said: “Piastri’s crash showed that his bubble there was a bit burst. Is it a one-off?

"Everyone can have a moment of down like this. It doesn't matter how strong you are. Even Max has had some weekends where we're like, 'OK, maybe that one was a little over the top!'”

The Canadian pointed out that the issues in Baku were not limited to Piastri alone. “The curious thing is it was the two drivers and the team. The whole thing. Not just one aspect.

"There was no sparkle particularly from Norris all weekend. His mistakes were less costly because he didn't hit the wall, but he should have qualified at least P2. Then he just went a little bit wide, messed up and then had a lacklustre race. It was incredible.”

For Villeneuve, the lack of execution in Baku raises doubts about McLaren’s readiness to take the next step. While both Piastri and Norris have shown speed this season, the Canadian believes the team must prove they can sustain it under pressure if they are to go all the way in the title fight.

Villeneuve and Saward in agreement on Max Verstappen

The 1997 F1 World Champion's opinion of Max Verstappen was very different. After the Dutchman took the win in Baku, Villeneuve branded him a "genius" and gave the Red Bull Racing driver a vote of confidence in what seems to be a revived Championship charge.

Renowned F1 journalist Joe Saward backed the Canadian's praise for the Dutchman, calling Verstappen quite exceptional and labeling him as the best F1 driver in recent generations.

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