Jacques Villeneuve explains why Canada has so few drivers reaching F1

Jacques Villeneuve has discussed the financial barriers and lack of feeder series racing in Canada that have led to a minimal number of racing drivers from his birth country.

The 1997 Formula 1 champion reflected on the current Canadian talent in motorsport, which in recent years has included Lance Stroll and Nicholas Latifi in F1 and James Hinchcliffe in the IndyCar Series, during an interview with CBC News Toronto. 

“The problem is the foundation,” Villeneuve explained. “There’s nothing to race in Canada. Because there’s nothing to race, there’s no interest for sponsors. There’s no build-up. So the kids either have to go to the States or Europe. But then why would a sponsor be interested?”

While he acknowledged that once a driver gets to F1, sponsorship money is easier to come by as it is global, Villeneuve explained that it was getting to the championship that was the issue. 

“Until they get to F1, which is global, then yes. But it’s to get there that’s the issue,” he said. “Also, how the cost has risen. Not because it’s expensive, but because people are willing to pay that amount of money. 

“So teams don’t need to find sponsors because they’ll have rich dads paying. And I think the issue with that is, well, if racing is so popular that a lot of fathers who couldn’t race want their kids to race.

“Also, racing is safe now compared to the 70s. In the 70s, a dad would say, ‘No, you’re not allowed to race otherwise you change your name, you’re disowned, you’re not my son anymore.’ And now it’s, ‘Son, you will race that, yes you will race.'”

He added: “Just take Formula 2 and the budgets used to be €2.5million. Now they’re at €4.5million. There’s not any more races. It stayed the same car they’ve been using for a few years. There’s no reason. But a few people are changing. 

“The target has moved and it doesn’t make sense and there’s no way you can get sponsorship for that. So you’re kind of stuck.”

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