On what planet did Antonelli think he was going to make the corner?!

Leclerc was just emerging from the pits when Antonelli caught up with him on track and tried to pass him, tagging the #16 Ferrari, sending it into a spin, and ending up in the barriers.

Antonelli was slapped with a ten-second time penalty for his rookie error but was backed by his team boss, Toto Wolff, who defended the Italian, claiming he has the talent but needed time to learn.

While Wolff had an understanding approach, Villeneuve did not mince his words and said of Antonelli's move on Leclerc: "On what planet did he think he was going to make the corner and not run into Leclerc?

"It's reminiscent of Austria. It seems that there is no concept or calculation of what's happening ahead from him. It's really, really odd.

"I mean there's moves like Leclerc against Russell. It was aggressive but it could have worked. There was the potential there," he added referring to Leclerc's move on George Russell earlier in the race when the two had contact.

The 1997 F1 champion went on: "For Antonelli, even from entering the corner, the corner before that it was obvious that it wasn't going to work, and when I saw him dive to the inside, I was thinking, where does he think he will end up?

"Even in his own comments, he said he was surprised that Leclerc turned in front of him. Well, no. He was on the line. That's where he was. What did he think he was doing?

"That's why I said that's not a Formula 1 move. That's not a racing driver move. That's a very amateur move, basically, and you're in Formula 1.

"Maybe if this was the first race of the season you'd think okay, whatever, but hot halfway through the season," the Canadian maintained.

While Antonelli has shown promise early on in his maiden F1 season, he appeared to struggle as he took part in more races, which raised a question of whether he was ready for the top flight.

Villeneuve insists there are no excuses for the Mercedes rookie's performances; he explained: "He's done a lot of races now.

"He's done miles and miles in whatever they're allowed to use in an older, two-year-old car, so he was prepped for this, and since the start of the season he hasn't progressed in the job.

"Look at Bortoleto. He's making steps forward. Bearman, he's always been there. There is no excuse for Antonelli. He's in the Mercedes. There's a big team around it. A big cocoon," he pointed out.

Bearman, as a side note, started the Dutch Grand Prix from the pit lane in the Haas and finished a career-best sixth.

"Verstappen arrived in F1 at the same age," Villeneuve went on. "Lewis was not much older was he? And he fought Alonso.

"That's what you have to take as a comparison. This is Formula 1 and if you're too young for it then don't be in F1. It's that simple.

"If you're willing to make the jump and accept the job, and a team put you in there, you cannot be judged differently for being young," the winner of 11 Grands Prix concluded.

(Quotes from Comeon)