‘Nobody cares’ – former F1 champion destroys Max Verstappen as Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher compared

Jacques Villeneuve likely won’t be invited to Red Bull’s motorhome any time soon. The 1997 Formula 1 champion is never shy of a strong opinion, and this time Max Verstappen has been caught in his crosshairs. Verstappen is a four-time championGetty But Villeneuve doesn’t think anyone outside of F1 caresGetty Speaking ahead of what promises to be a gripping 2025 F1 season, Villeneuve was discussing the biggest news of Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari. The sport’s most successful driver and team will unite this year, and in explaining how big a switch it is, Villeneuve threw a shot in Verstappen’s direction. With everyone desperate to see Hamilton in red, the Canadian pundit summed up the mood by telling Action Network: “Lewis Hamilton moving to Ferrari is the most high-profile F1 move since Michael Schumacher left Benetton for Ferrari. “Independent of race results, Lewis Hamilton is the biggest driver of all time because of all the following he has. “He’s very different. He’s unique. He’s broken the mould. There’s a lot that hangs on him. He has the biggest image. His image goes beyond F1. And there’s not many drivers like that. “Take Verstappen out of F1. Nobody cares. Take Hamilton out of F1, people care. “So yes, it is the biggest signing. And Ferrari is also one of the biggest brands in the world, if not the biggest. So put the two together, yeah, of course, it’s amazing.” Villeneuve’s comments come after Verstappen claimed his fourth-straight world championship with one of the most impressive seasons in F1 history. The Dutchman wrapped up the title with two races to go, despite his Red Bull car being the third-fastest on the grid for at least half of the season. Yet his name is always linked to Hamilton’s thanks to their epic 2021 title bout. Everyone is hoping that Verstappen and Hamilton can go wheel-to-wheel again in 2025Getty Verstappen took the honours on the last lap of the last race of the year, but controversy has remained ever since with the FIA admitting there was an improper use of the safety car. And with new aerodynamic regulations coming in for 2022, Hamilton was completely out of the picture as Mercedes botched them and Red Bull nailed them. However, in 2025 things could be very different with Red Bull seemingly moving backwards and Ferrari having the most consistent and adaptable car for much of the previous campaign. That could line Hamilton up for a potential record-breaking eighth world title, and take the sport’s exposure to a whole new level, because, as Villeneuve says, the 40-year-old’s following is simply incomparable.

Jan 15, 2025 - 18:42

‘Nobody cares’ – former F1 champion destroys Max Verstappen as Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher compared

Jacques Villeneuve likely won’t be invited to Red Bull’s motorhome any time soon.

The 1997 Formula 1 champion is never shy of a strong opinion, and this time Max Verstappen has been caught in his crosshairs.

But Villeneuve doesn’t think anyone outside of F1 cares

Speaking ahead of what promises to be a gripping 2025 F1 season, Villeneuve was discussing the biggest news of Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari.

The sport’s most successful driver and team will unite this year, and in explaining how big a switch it is, Villeneuve threw a shot in Verstappen’s direction.

With everyone desperate to see Hamilton in red, the Canadian pundit summed up the mood by telling Action Network: “Lewis Hamilton moving to Ferrari is the most high-profile F1 move since Michael Schumacher left Benetton for Ferrari.

“Independent of race results, Lewis Hamilton is the biggest driver of all time because of all the following he has.

“He’s very different. He’s unique. He’s broken the mould. There’s a lot that hangs on him. He has the biggest image. His image goes beyond F1. And there’s not many drivers like that.

“Take Verstappen out of F1. Nobody cares. Take Hamilton out of F1, people care.

“So yes, it is the biggest signing. And Ferrari is also one of the biggest brands in the world, if not the biggest. So put the two together, yeah, of course, it’s amazing.”

Villeneuve’s comments come after Verstappen claimed his fourth-straight world championship with one of the most impressive seasons in F1 history.

The Dutchman wrapped up the title with two races to go, despite his Red Bull car being the third-fastest on the grid for at least half of the season.

Yet his name is always linked to Hamilton’s thanks to their epic 2021 title bout.

Everyone is hoping that Verstappen and Hamilton can go wheel-to-wheel again in 2025

Verstappen took the honours on the last lap of the last race of the year, but controversy has remained ever since with the FIA admitting there was an improper use of the safety car.

And with new aerodynamic regulations coming in for 2022, Hamilton was completely out of the picture as Mercedes botched them and Red Bull nailed them.

However, in 2025 things could be very different with Red Bull seemingly moving backwards and Ferrari having the most consistent and adaptable car for much of the previous campaign.

That could line Hamilton up for a potential record-breaking eighth world title, and take the sport’s exposure to a whole new level, because, as Villeneuve says, the 40-year-old’s following is simply incomparable.