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Motorsport
Motorsport
Lydia Mee

Lewis Hamilton can't resist taking cheeky swipe at Jacques Villeneuve ahead of Canadian GP

Lewis Hamilton took a cheeky jab at 1997 Formula 1 champion Jacques Villeneuve ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix. The dig came while the seven-time champion reflected on the enduring legacy of Jacques's legendary father, Gilles Villeneuve, after whom the track in Montreal is named.

When asked about Gilles Villeneuve during the press conference ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix weekend, Hamilton explained: "Yes, as much as I can say about it, I personally didn’t really know a lot about him, to be honest. I obviously knew about Niki [Lauda], more so because I got to spend a lot of time with him, and obviously, I had to learn and watch him when I was growing up.

"So, whilst reading up on some of the great drivers that have been here, all I really knew is that he was a great driver. He seemed to be, from some of the videos, a driver that really was at the edge of his seat, really being able to balance the car as it’s moving, which was pretty cool to see."

Jacques Villeneuve on stage. (Photo by: Mark Sutton / Formula 1 via Getty Images)

The Ferrari driver then added with a laugh: "And obviously far better than his son."

Over the years, the Canadian has never shied away from vocalising his criticism of Hamilton. After Hamilton joined Ferrari at the start of 2025, he struggled to adapt to the new car and team. Villeneuve argued that the Maranello outfit had not got what it had signed.

"They're not getting what they signed," Villeneuve said while speaking to Sky Sports F1 ahead of the 2025 Dutch Grand Prix. "So there will be some frustration in there from both camps - from the team, from Lewis - because he's not getting the car he was wanting. He doesn't feel the team is behind him. The team doesn't feel Lewis is with them."

Photos from Canadian GP - Friday

59 Formula 1 George Russell, Mercedes

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Lando Norris, McLaren

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Carlos Sainz, Williams

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Laurent Mekies, Red Bull Racing Team Principal

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Alexander Albon, Williams

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Haas F1 pitstop practice

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Valtteri Bottas, Cadillac Racing

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Oscar Piastri, McLaren

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Franco Colapinto, Alpine

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Carlos Sainz, Williams

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Nico Hülkenberg, Audi F1 Team

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

George Russell, Mercedes

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Lando Norris, McLaren

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Nico Hülkenberg, Audi F1 Team

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

George Russell, Mercedes

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

George Russell, Mercedes

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Isack Hadjar, Red Bull Racing

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Carlos Sainz, Williams

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Oscar Piastri, McLaren

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Lando Norris, McLaren

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Isack Hadjar, Red Bull Racing

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Pierre Gasly, Alpine

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Alexander Albon, Williams

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Alexandra Leclerc, wife of F1 driver Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Fire marshal

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

George Russell, Mercedes

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

George Russell, Mercedes

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

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