Villeneuve: Logical that emotions ran so high in Japan

Villeneuve was referring to the tragic death of French driver Jules Bianchi at Suzuka eight years ago after he crashed into a tractor on the side of the track that was removing another car.

The Formula 1 world was sent back eight years in time when - after Carlos Sainz crashed on the opening lap - a tractor was sent out to collect the stricken Ferrari as cars were still circulating on track.

In his formule1.nl column, Villeneuve said: "I understood very well the commotion about the truck on the track when Pierre Gasly still had to pass.

"Strictly speaking, the rules allow it, as the race was neutralised," he pointed out. "In dry weather no one would worry about it, in rain it is a different story.

"Then this really should never happen," the Canadian insisted. "You cannot always see where you are, there may be cars driving around with damage to suspension, brakes or a flat tyre. Even at low speed, a collision with such a vehicle is very dangerous.

"That emotions ran so high I thought was only logical given the past history with Jules Bianchi," Villeneuve conceded.

The race at Suzuka was started in rainy conditions, with all the cars on the Intermediate tyres, but was then Red flagged after Carlos Sainz crashed and the weather conditions deteriorated.

"I think there is a lesson to be learned from the second restart, when the drivers were forced to start on the full wets instead of having a free choice," Villeneuve believes. "That could be a new rule.

"Of course, everyone now opts for the intermediates at the first start. They are harder to get up to temperature, involve greater risk, but are much faster. The full wets have deeper grooves, there is less rubber and therefore they overheat much faster. If everyone had started on full wets, they would not have had the grip problems they did," he explained.

"And about Carlos Sainz’s crash: I have always found that curve [Turn 12] dangerous, ever since I raced there in F3," the 1997 F1 Champion said.

"In dry weather, that’s like a straight, easy flat, but when it rains it becomes treacherous, it is a small curve with a tyre wall on the outside with advertising signs.

"An impact with a crash barrier or a wall would be better than this option, the car would spin and slide on and that would be ok.

Villeneuve did not miss to talk about Max Verstappen's second F1 Title triumph in succession; he said: "The championship for Max Verstappen is obviously well deserved.

"Except for the first three races, Red Bull has been almost perfect. Ferrari collapsed after that, the team failing far too often, which also increased the pressure on Charles.

"He also made mistakes and then the question arises – would that have happened without the team’s blunders? His mistake when leading at Paul Ricard was ultimately crucial for the championship," the 51-year-old wondered.

"And yesterday it happened again in the final corner," he went on referring to Leclerc's final lap error while being chased by Sergio Perez.

"Of course, Verstappen would have won it anyway but Red Bull did get the perfect ending this way. Winning in the land of Honda, as the ties are tightened again.

"They have been really super strong, made great progress. It may have looked easy, but make no mistake. I think the main difference has been that the RB18 does not eat up its tyres like the Ferrari does," Villeneuve maintained.

In a final reflection on the 2022 season, former F1 driver said: "Leaving the standings aside, I have seen a good season with good racing. Last year was a thriller with the championship battle, of course, but this year we have also seen some great battles.

"Formula 1 has exploded, it is hugely popular with great races – and that is what we want," the winner of 11 grands prix concluded.