1997 Formula 1 world champion Jacques Villeneuve has given a scathing assessment of Kimi Antonelli's rookie season with Mercedes following a disappointing qualifying performance for the driver at the 2025 Dutch Grand Prix. The Mercedes rookie will start from 11th on the grid, failing to reach Q3 as team-mate George Russell will start fifth.

Speaking to Sky Sports F1 , the Canadian did not hold back as he evaluated the young Italian's performance, which has fluctuated hugely this year.

"It's tough because he's already burnt himself up a bit," Villeneuve told Simon Lazenby. "It's really hard to get back from that. The break was supposed to be the big reset and it wasn't."

Dismissing Antonelli's age as a factor, he drew comparisons to other drivers who joined the championship at y

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