Jacques Villeneuve Advocates for More Support for Young Drivers in Formula One

1997 Formula One World Champion Jacques Villeneuve is not holding back when it comes to expressing his concerns about the lack of support for emerging young drivers in the sport. In an exclusive interview with Sports Illustrated, Villeneuve criticized Formula One teams for not doing enough to assist the next generation of racing talent.

The Canadian racing legend took matters into his own hands by founding Feed Racing in 2019. This initiative aims to provide young aspiring drivers with a more accessible route into professional racing, specifically targeting entry into Formula Four—a crucial stepping stone in a driver’s career. Despite his efforts with Feed Racing, Villeneuve remains critical of the broader motorsport industry’s approach to developing talent.

Villeneuve pointed out that very few teams are actively supporting young drivers, with Williams being one of the rare exceptions. He commended Williams for financing Logan Sargeant’s Formula Two season with the promise of an F1 seat if he earned enough super license points. However, Villeneuve believes that such examples are too few and far between in the industry.

Feed Racing was created to replicate the inclusive driver development models of the past that helped legends like Alain Prost and Olivier Panis reach Formula One. Villeneuve acknowledged the financial challenges of supporting drivers beyond the initial stages but emphasized the importance of providing opportunities based on merit and performance under pressure.

While Villeneuve’s efforts with Feed Racing are commendable, he believes that more needs to be done by teams and the motorsport industry as a whole to nurture and support young talent. As a racing icon who has experienced the highs and lows of the sport, Villeneuve’s insights serve as a wake-up call for the racing world to prioritize the development of the next generation of drivers.