Stroll needs a slower teammate, says Villeneuve

The Williams driver was running 14th but ultimately finished 16th in the Brazilian Grand Prix after picking up a flat spot that caused his left-front tyre to delaminate and forced an extra pitstop.

Teammate Felipe Massa, who is retiring at the end of the season, finished sixth on home soil to move back ahead of Stroll and into 10th in the drivers' championship with one race to go.

"It wasn't impressive," 1997 world champion Villeneuve told Motorsport.com. "He was about to get lapped by his teammate.

"Then he blew a tyre so at least he has an excuse. It's not a weekend to remember."

Stroll had a tough start to the season, failing to see the chequered flag in the first there races, but scored his first points in Canada and a maiden podium at the following race in Baku.

But Villeneuve said: "You can't just look at the points, you have to look at the pace. We haven't really seen an improvement.

"Something has to happen during the winter because he's been better than that in the other categories.

"He needs to figure something out. Maybe a new teammate will be helpful."

When asked what Stroll needs to do to improve, Villeneuve said: "Have a slower teammate. He needs to find a way to go faster."

Stroll is set to stay at Williams for the next two seasons under his current deal, with the team yet to appoint his teammate for 2018.

Robert Kubica, whose F1 career was interrupted by life-threatening injuries from a rally crash in 2011, is the frontrunner to get the seat.

The 32-year-old Pole is poised to drive for Williams in the post-Abu Dhabi Pirelli Formula 1 tyre test so the team can continue to evaluate the potential of his return.

The alternatives are reserve driver Paul di Resta, former Toro Rosso driver Daniil Kvyat and Sauber's Pascal Wehrlein.