Former Williams driver Jacques Villeneuve believes the team is only interested in profit rather than achieving success in Formula 1.
The once great British outfit continues to sit at the back of the grid someway off the pace of the rest after a miserable start to 2019 but in reality, it is a continuation of a slump which has taken place since 2016.
Villeneuve has regularly spoken out against Williams, mostly criticising their focus on money on talent when it came to their driver line-up and it is the business aspect that the Canadian called out again.
“[Williams is] no longer a racing team,” he told Le Journal de Montreal. “It’s a public entity that must report at the end of the year, and all they have to do is make a profit, which they have done. So they are fine.
“But if the company made $16 million in 2018, it is because not enough was spent on the racing team. The president does not want to win in F1, he just wants to make sure he makes the most for the shareholders.
“That’s all that matters now.”
Also Read:
- Claire Williams admits ‘guilt’ for decision that caused team’s slump
- Claire Williams should consider quitting as deputy boss, says Ralf Schumacher
Something that Williams has fully supported is Liberty Media’s push for a budget cap in F1 from 2021, but Villeneuve doubts it will have the intended impact.
“If you’re asking for a budget cut at say, $100m a year, what’s going to happen?
“Mercedes, for one, will certainly spend the $100m, but mid-pack teams like Haas, Alfa Romeo and the others, will spend only one-fifth of that sum to stay fifth or sixth,” he argued.
“It will not help F1. It’s bullsh*t. If you want my opinion, I’ll tell you what’s going to happen: the smaller organizations will put more money in their pockets.”