The FIA raised eyebrows when it called for a virtual safety car in the closing laps of the GP in Mexico. Max Verstappen was hot on the heels of Charles Leclerc, but the neutralization prevented him from actually overtaking the Monegasque and claiming second place. The Dutchman settled for P3, but according to experts, he actually deserved more – former champion Jacques Villeneuve finds it ’embarrassing’ that the FIA intervenes in such a crucial duel.
Lando Norris reclaimed the lead in the world championship in Mexico City – albeit narrowly. The difference with teammate Oscar Piastri is only one point. Meanwhile, Max Verstappen is 36 championship points away from the top position. The gap could have been even smaller, had it not been for a late virtual safety car preventing him from claiming second place. With four race weekends to go, this decision by the FIA could be decisive for the further course of the title fight.
Jacques Villeneuve judged that the FIA made a mistake here and spoiled the duel for second place. In a scathing post on social media, he lashed out at the race management. “A title is at stake,” wrote the Canadian. “The climax is approaching, it’s a great battle.”
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“Lando Norris was impeccable all weekend,” said Villeneuve. “He drove as he did last year when he was up against Verstappen. If he maintains this momentum, he has a very good chance at the championship. Especially since his teammate is still somewhat in trouble,” the former driver directed at Piastri. “He somewhat recovered in the race, scored some points, and saved the weekend, but he is still not at the level he should be – the level he was at earlier in the season.”
“And then Verstappen, who, despite a tough weekend, really managed to score a few good points,” Villeneuve continued. “He managed to get closer to the lead in the championship. Nevertheless, it was a chaotic race, especially at the start. I wonder how random the penalties are that are handed out. Sometimes the FIA intervenes, sometimes not. It’s a bit confusing. The worst of all was the virtual safety car,” the Canadian emphasized. “It was demanded with two laps to go, when there were nice duels being fought on the track. That was a bit embarrassing. Carlos Sainz Jr‘s car was completely off the track, at the slowest part of the circuit. There was no reason to intervene in those last two laps. So many millions of people watch such a race; you have to take that into account.”
