Formula 1
Villeneuve backs Coulthard's complaints
1997 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve has supported claims from David Coulthard that something must be done to prevent Michael Schumacher continuing to police his ruthless driving tactics, which have earned him two World Championships. McLaren's ...
Edited: Apr 15, 2002, 11:45 PM
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1997 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve has supported claims from David Coulthard that something must be done to prevent Michael Schumacher continuing to police his ruthless driving tactics, which have earned him two World Championships.
McLaren's David Coulthard has fell victim to the German several times this year, notable are the starts of the San Marino, Canadian and French Grands Prix, while he also blocked the Scot in an unfair manner at the Adelaide Hairpin during the latter.
Villeneuve supported Coulthard when the Scot said someone could get seriously injured or killed through Michael Schumacher and his driving ethics, stating that he doesn't agree with the way he drives, but that he will continue to do so until he is punished by the FIA.
"His tactics do bother me and there are not many people doing it," said Villeneuve. "It's the same person and he gets away with it so why should he stop? When drivers behind have to lift that's not fair. The issue has been raised before and it's not gone anywhere."
He added that all drivers could do the same thing if they wanted, but that personal ethics come into the equation, meaning many refuse to police such harshness on the race track.
"We know we could do the same thing as Schumacher and get away with it but we don't do it. It's a question of personal ethics. It depends on the way you are in every day life and you bring those ethics into the cockpit."
"Drivers don't have any power so it doesn't matter what we say or think. We just get a licence and drive the car. The trouble is the drivers don't all agree either."
Jacques Villeneuve is no stranger to Schumacher's determination: the German attempted to run him off the road during their showdown in Jerez for the 1997 title; however, the French-Canadian is adamant that he will not give in to Schumacher, and if that means a collision, so be it.
"David is fighting for the championship so he cannot afford to bang wheels and throw points away, but it wouldn't matter to me."
David Coulthard is raising the issue of swerving in today's (Friday) Grand Prix Drivers Association meeting, although it is unlikely any form of action or prevention will actually be taken.
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