Jacques Villeneuve slams Kimi Antonelli after Dutch GP crash with Charles Leclerc. Jacques Villeneuve criticised Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli after his Dutch GP crash.

Jacques Villeneuve slams Kimi Antonelli after Dutch GP crash with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc

The 2025 Dutch Grand Prix did not only shake up the standings but also triggered heavy criticism in the paddock. Kimi Antonelli, involved in a dramatic incident with Charles Leclerc on lap 53, became the main target of Jacques Villeneuve’s words. The Canadian, 1997 Formula 1 World Champion, did not hold back and described the Mercedes rookie’s manoeuvre as “a Formula 4 mistake”.

Antonelli attempted an overtake on the inside of Turn 3, but the move sent Leclerc’s Ferrari straight into the barriers. Race stewards deemed the young Italian responsible for the crash, handing him a 10-second penalty. To make matters worse, Kimi Antonelli was also punished for speeding in the pitlane, eventually finishing down in 16th place. Despite admitting fault for the collision, the rookie could not avoid a storm of criticism.

Villeneuve blasts Kimi Antonelli: “A junior category mistake”

Speaking to Sky, Villeneuve was brutally honest: “Very poor. That was the kind of manoeuvre you would expect in Formula 4 or Formula 3, from a completely inexperienced driver. It wasn’t about pushing too hard at the limit, it was a miscalculation from start to finish. He should never have tried it.”

The former champion continued: “Then he got rattled and was even penalised for speeding in the pitlane. Maybe Formula 1 is simply too much for him.”

Antonelli became the third youngest debutant in Formula 1 history, but Villeneuve rejected the idea that his age could be used as an excuse. He stressed: “That’s not a valid reason. In Formula 1, only performance matters. Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton both entered at a very young age, but immediately showed they belonged at this level. Antonelli, on the other hand, was two car lengths behind—on what planet did he think that move would work?”

Villeneuve questions Antonelli’s future in F1

The Canadian concluded by highlighting how obvious and avoidable the mistake was: “Everyone knows that at Zandvoort the inside line doesn’t work unless you are already side by side. He wasn’t. He needs to be much better than this if he wants to stay in Formula 1.”

These harsh words underline the increasing pressure on the young Mercedes driver. With the season entering a decisive phase, Antonelli’s errors not only threaten his personal reputation but could also prove costly for Mercedes in the battle against their rivals.