Hamilton, Norris shout down Villeneuve over Hubert comments

Lewis Hamilton was among those to dismiss Jacques Villeneuve's latest incendiary claims about modern Formula 1.

Villeneuve, as outspoken as any former F1 driver, said that younger driver's increased use of simulators had desensitised them to the dangers of driving.

The 1997 world champion was speaking after Anthoine Hubert was killed in a crash at Formula 2's feature race in Belgium.

Hamilton sees no correlation between the rise in the use of simulators and the tragedy which befell Hubert, and was dismissive of many of Villeneuve's comments as a whole.

Hamilton said: "I don't really agree with a lot of the opinions of that individual and I don't know if anyone [does]. I personally don't listen to that individual's opinion.

"But [regarding Villeneuve's comments] I don't think so.

"I think the kids are on the track… if you look at the kids on the ski slopes, from small up they have no fears and it is the same with us race drivers, whatever age.

"I am sure as you get a bit older it [fear] creeps in, but the simulators don't make you more or less fearful. I don't agree with that no."

Lando Norris is a leading light for the links between sim-racing and Formula 1 and quickly shot down Villeneuve's claims.

"I don't think it's got anything to do with sim-racing," Norris said. "It's just something he maybe wants to use as an excuse for it.

"Safety is getting much better, especially compared to when he would have been racing. It's not like we completely forget it. We don't go flat out and not care about anything. We still realise what danger is."

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