F1 champion voices surprise over 'aggressive' Ferrari decision

1997 F1 world champion Jacques Villeneuve has expressed surprise at Ferrari’s approach during the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix.

The Italian squad claimed its first victory of the season as Lewis Hamilton secured his maiden win with the Maranello-based team.

Hamilton was the first of the front-runners to pit during the race, applying pressure on Mercedes and forcing the championship leaders into a response.

While Hamilton's final pit stop was served under a well-timed virtual safety car to ensure he returned to the race in the lead, he built a near 20-second gap over George Russell to seal victory.

Villeneuve praised Ferrari’s strategic approach, stating that the team was willing to take risks rather than simply play it safe.

“It wasn't given,” Villeneuve told Sky F1.

“Okay, there was the safety car, but Lewis had pace from the start, surprisingly, and he kept it going. 

“Then Ferrari did what they don't normally do - they didn't settle for a second, they went aggressive.

“They took a big risk where it looked like all in. 'Second? We don't care, we want to try and get that win'.

“It played into their hands. Look at the gap he built at the end. Impressive, incredible.”

Hamilton endured a highly challenging first season with Ferrari in 2025 but has enjoyed a boost in form this year under the new technical regulations.

Villeneuve suggested Hamilton's resurgence has been helped by previous adversity he has faced in his career.

“He's been through this before,” he said. “When he left McLaren from Mercedes, everybody was saying, 'why would you do this?' 

“Then he built the team, and it went forward. 

“When you come from an age racing where you had to be tough, you can see how it plays out.”