Jacques Villeneuve believes Lewis Hamilton purposefully slowed down too late to let Charles Leclerc by at the end of last weekend's Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Ferrari endured a disappointing weekend at the Baku City Circuit, which saw Hamilton eliminated in Q2 and Leclerc crash in Q3.
Both drivers made minimal progress in the race to finish in eighth and ninth, with Hamilton ahead of Leclerc. The seven-time F1 champion pitted after his team-mate and was granted permission to overtake Leclerc, given his fresher tyres.
However, it was expected that Hamilton would return the position at the end, should he fail to make any further progress.
Despite his best efforts, he was unable to overtake those ahead. Hamilton, ultimately, attempted to let Leclerc past prior to the chequered flag, but braked too late.
Hamilton apologised to Leclerc post-race, although 1997 F1 champion Villeneuve believes the 40-year-old purposefully made the error due to believing he would have overtaken the Monégasque even without the team's help.
"Lewis Hamilton played it well. He played it really well," Villeneuve told a gambling platform.
"Ferrari asked Leclerc to let Lewis by, but they didn’t need to. Lewis then, on the new tyre, was so much quicker anyway he would have overtaken him. So, the team orders were unnecessary.
"So, I guess that’s why Lewis didn’t really want to let him by again!"
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Ferrari's poor result saw the Scuderia slip to third in the constructors' championship, with Mercedes moving ahead.
It marked the latest poor grand prix of the year for the Maranello-based squad, who Villeneuve is certain are focusing on next year's new power unit regulations.
"It’s one season," insisted Villeneuve. "Let’s not forget next year it almost starts from zero for everyone.
"So, it could be a perfect beginning for Ferrari next season. They get to the first race, the engine is great, the car is fantastic, and it takes a while for everyone else to catch up. That’s what they must have in their mind right now.
"I don’t think they’re focusing on the rest of 2025. 2026 is coming."
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Join RacingNews365's Ian Parkes, Sam Coop and Nick Golding, as they look back on the Azerbaijan Grand Prix! Oscar Piastri's shock Baku crashes are a major talking point, as is whether Max Verstappen has drawn himself back into the F1 title fight.
Rather watch the podcast? Then click here!
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