Stroll worthy of F1, but 'rich kid' image a burden - Villeneuve

Jacques Villeneuve doesn't doubt Lance Stroll's ability to perform at the highest level, but his financial backing means he'll have to work even harder to prove his worth.

The Williams rookie picks up a baton for Canada which Villeneuve dropped in 2006 when he retired from Grand Prix racing.

Stroll has benefitted from his father's huge wealth which supported his efforts in the junior ranks but also provided him with perhaps the best F1 preparation a rookie has ever enjoyed.

"Definitely he will have to prove himself even more and he knows that," Villeneuve said.

" It is just a general attitude that in people’s minds that if you have money you cannot have talent which is not true.

"The two are not linked, the money gives you the opportunity, but it then depends what you are made off," explained the 1997 world champion.

"Obviously when you get through the ranks with money you get the best opportunities which is great so you don’t burn yourself, but also you don’t suffer as much in certain situations and all that learning you will have to do in F1 rather than other formulas."

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Based on Stroll's success as he raced up the ladder to F1, Villeneuve is fully confident in his countryman's natural ability but is also pleased by the young hopeful's personality and character.

"He is super quick, very talented and the few times I met him at the race track last year I was very impressed with his attitude.

"He seemed to have the right mental makeup to make it. So right now I am quite positive on his possibilities."

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