F1 champion Michael Schumacher's 'dirty' tactics FRUSTRATED former rival Jacques Villeneuve

Michael Schumacher, Ferrari, 1996 — Photo: © IMAGO

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F1 rival FRUSTRATED by 'dirty' Schumacher tactics

Jacques Villeneuve made comparisons between Max Verstappen and Michael Schumacher

Kevin McKenna

Tuesday 9 July 2024 14:57

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A Formula 1 world champion has revealed he was left frustrated by the 'dirty' tactics deployed by Michael Schumacher during their on-track battles.

Schumacher is widely considered as one of the greatest drivers of all time, having racked up seven world titles over a stellar career in the pinnacle of motorsport.

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The former Ferrari legend retired from F1 in 2012 after spending a short spell at Mercedes, before suffering a severe brain injury during a tragic skiing accident the following year.

The German was placed in a medically induced coma, and has remained in the care of his family at his Swiss home as he continues to receive treatment.

Despite being revered as an F1 icon, the 55-year-old was no stranger to controversy, often coming into conflict with his fellow competitors in his relentless pursuit for success.

Jacques Villeneuve won the F1 world championship in 1997

Max Verstappen's driving style has been compared with that of Michael Schumacher

Villeneuve reflects on Schumacher battles

Jacques Villeneuve had his fair share of run-ins with the former Benetton star, with the pair famously clashing in the closing stages of a dramatic 1997 European Grand Prix.

With the world title slipping through his fingers, Schumacher intentionally made contact with his rival in a bid to knock him out of the race.

His plan failed to work, however, as Villeneuve recovered to finish third and clinch a maiden world championship.

Almost two decades on from that historic moment, reigning champion Max Verstappen and Lando Norris were involved in a collision at the Austrian Grand Prix as the pair battled for first position.

Lando Norris and Max Verstappen collided at the Austrian Grand Prix

Both suffered punctures, but only Verstappen was able to continue, bringing his car home in sixth while Norris was forced to retire the car, thus losing more ground in the championship race.

Verstappen has been criticised by some for his role in the incident, with the FIA handing him a 10-second penalty in the immediate aftermath.

Reflecting on the recent controversy, Villeneuve made a telling comparison between the styles of the Red Bull star and his old foe Schumacher.

Speaking to OLBG.com, the 53-year-old said: "Michael Schumacher started the trend of dirty driving - Jarno Trulli was another one.

"It was frustrating racing against him. The worst coming together was when I was driving a Sauber and was racing at the back.

"Some of the back markers just didn’t have the correct race craft or the correct understanding of what happens if you change line if the other guy is already trying to brake later than you. You end up on top of each other.”

Ferrari Mercedes Formula 1 Michael Schumacher Silverstone