Villeneuve: 'Hamilton's crash could have happened to anyone, including Verstappen'

18:43, 03 Sep

byKada Sarkozi

Jacques Villeneuve believes Lewis Hamilton's crash could have happened to anyone at the Dutch Grand Prix.

After qualifying in seventh place and being encouraged by a 'smoother' weekend, Hamilton's Grand Prix in the Netherlands ended on Lap 23.

The seven-time world champion hit the wall after sliding out in Turn 3, causing a Safety Car as well.

'That incident could have happened to anyone, including Max'

Former F1 world champion Jacques Villeneuve also saw a happier and more comfortable Hamilton in the car at Zandvoort throughout the weekend.

The Canadian believes that the aforementioned incident was not the Briton's fault.

"That Lewis mistake could have happened to anyone. Every driver, including Max (Verstappen), has been caught out in situations like this," he began on Sky Sports' F1 podcast.

"It's drizzling. As a driver, visually and by feel, you have no way to know when it will slide just that little bit more. Like driving on a road in winter, it's snowing, everything seems OK, and suddenly you have a patch of ice.

Lewis Hamilton's incident on Lap 23 of the Dutch GP

"There's no way for you knowing. And then that line, that corner, you have to drive over the paint. Every driver was doing it. Lewis was maybe just a few inches higher, a little bit more drizzle, and got caught out," the 1997 F1 champion explained.

"The way it slid, it's not dry running, a little bit too fast, the tyre bites, slides a bit.

"No, he was hitting high, sliding, nothing you can do and [you] become [a] passenger. It looks bad, but it looks like, ‘oh, what a silly mistake,’ but everyone's been caught out with these, and you can't see it coming."

Hamilton positive apart from incident

Talking to GPblog among others on Sunday, the Briton was more encouraged himself, not taking into account his incident. "It's been a really solid weekend. We've made lots of progress. I feel like I've made progress," he shared.

Hamilton has also revealed his a special helmet for the Italian Grand Prix, his first one as a Ferrari driver in Monza. Together with the Scuderia, he is honoring Niki Lauda with his design.