Villeneuve laments no 'hate' in today's F1

Jun.4 (GMM) Jacques Villeneuve has nominated his favourites of F1's latest generation.

"The problem with Formula One is that there are no more warriors," the 1997 world champion, who admits he would jump at the chance to return to the grid, said in an interview with Germany's Sport Bild.

"Alonso is one (a warrior), but who else is there? These days no-one says anything unless a PR person has told them they are allowed to. There are no more fights.

"I realised it last year, when Massa was fighting Hamilton for the title; you didn't get the impression that these guys want to win so badly that they hate each other.

"It was different with myself and Michael Schumacher or Eddie Irvine."

Like Fernando Alonso, French-Canadian Villeneuve, 38, also likes Sebastian Vettel, but not because the German hates his rivals.

"I don't know him personally, but I like what I see because he is different, he gives refreshing answers in interviews, he is fast and seems to be very strong in the head.

"I think you always have to be yourself in everything you do, but I am not sure this is the case with all the drivers of today.

"I remember in 1992 when I was driving F3 in Japan, I got an offer to go to Indycars but they said I had to change my helmet design to the colours of the sponsor. I said 'forget it, I'll stay here'.

"The people around me shook their heads, but I didn't care. Two years later I went to Indycars anyway, with my own helmet!"

Villeneuve is also impressed with championship leader Jenson Button's form this year, despite their once-prickly relationship as BAR teammates.

"He hasn't made any mistakes," he remarked. "Lewis Hamilton was making mistakes even when he won the championship. I think Jenson is also stronger than Lewis mentally, in dealing with pressure.

"I'm happy for him (Button) but I also see the team as a negative part of my past. I feel as though a lot of my own money is still there; in 1999, my former manager Craig Pollock set up that team (BAR) with some of my money as well.

"From BAR it was then Honda and now it's Brawn," said Villeneuve.