Stroll dismisses Villeneuve 'always negative' comments

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Lance Stroll has brushed aside the persistent bashing of fellow Canadian Jacques Villeneuve, labeling his countryman's attitude as "always negative".

Villeneuve has often taken aim at the Williams driver since his F1 debut in Melbourne last year, calling Stroll the "worst rookie in the history of F1" and belittling his achievements.

Villeneuve: 'Williams sold their soul to Stroll's billions!'

More recently, the 1997 world champion hit out at Williams for reportedly selecting the well-funded Sergey Sirotkin as Stroll's team mate this season, a choice which led Villeneuve to say his former team had "already sold their soul to the billions of Lawrence Stroll, who only cares about his son".

Lance Stroll offered however a complete dismissal of the critical Mr. Villeneuve and his disparaging remarks.

"I don't pay too much attention to what he's saying," he told French weekly Auto Hebdo. "It's always going to be negative anyway.

"He never supported me, in every sense of the word. He only sees the negative. Even the Baku podium was not a positive in his eyes," Stroll insisted.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.