Villeneuve ramps up craziness with wild Kubica claim!

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You know it's the start of the F1 season when the polemical Jacques Villeneuve emerges from hibernation with one of his signature wacky claims claims.

To kick off the 2018 season, the overcritical former driver - an F1 world champion from yesteryear - believes there more than just a bit of bold engineering to justify the behavior of Williams FW41 and the anticipated struggle of its drivers.

According to Villeneuve, the team's reserve and test driver, Robert Kubica, could deliberately seek to subtly sabotage the efforts of Lance Stroll and Sergey Sirotkin in order to eventually slot his way into a race seat.

Questions about Kubica 'not worthy of an answer' - Lowe

"It's difficult to assess the situation at Williams," Villeneuve told Sky Italia.

"At least at the tests, the car looked difficult to drive. The only one who was able to use its potential was Kubica.

"Robert is the driver who will most develop the car, and it's possible he will consciously make it difficult to drive for the other drivers," Villeneuve contends.

The Canadian therefore believes Kubica will use every possible means to race for Williams this year.

"His dream is to race the car, not to be the third driver, and so I do not underestimate this point. In his situation I would do exactly the same," he admitted.

It's good to have you back Jacques!

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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.