Jacques Villeneuve thinks Lando Norris keeps creating one ‘problem’ for himself that F1 fans on social media don’t like

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Lando Norris has a great opportunity to reset his chances in the title battle with Oscar Piastri at the Belgian Grand Prix if he wins both the Sprint and regular race.

A win in both races and a second place for Piastri would put them level on 259 points heading into the Hungarian GP, the final race before the F1 summer break.

Norris has been a lot closer to Piastri in the last couple of races, thanks to McLaren introducing upgrades at the Canadian GP aimed at helping the Briton.

Both drivers are set to get their new floor for the Belgian GP, which was tested at Silverstone, and Norris will be hopeful it works in his favour.

Martin Brundle has warned McLaren there will be ‘fireworks’ after seeing Piastri angry with getting the win taken away from him at Silverstone, as the battle heats up between the pair.

Former F1 driver Jacques Villeneuve believes Norris has one problem that F1 fans have previously pointed out on social media when speaking on the Red Flags podcast.

Jacques Villeneuve thinks Lando Norris too open with his feelings

Norris is known for being one of the more open drivers on the grid, as he is also an ambassador for the mental health charity Mind.

But Villeneuve thinks he can often be too honest with how he’s feeling, which can lead to unwanted speculation he has no control over.

“Instead of keeping it in, he blurts it out. That’s his way of maybe blowing some steam. It’s a necessity for him, and he comes back stronger every time he does it,” said Villeneuve.

“But the problem is with all social media now where every TikToker is a journalist, somehow. And a lot of the comments that come out, there’s no research behind it, but it has weight.

“That’s the price he has to pay. The way he is now, 20 years ago would have been a lot easier because it wouldn’t have this big outburst as it is now. It wouldn’t go as far.”

Jacques Villeneuve explains why he didn’t join McLaren after being asked by Adrian Newey

Villeneuve was close to being a McLaren driver himself at the end of the 1990s, the last time they won back-to-back titles with Mika Hakkinen.

It was after he won the 1997 title with Williams and legendary designer Adrian Newey left the team following a contract dispute with team owner Frank Williams.

Newey attempted to get Villeneuve to sign for them instead of BAR Honda, but he would ultimately decline the offer in favour of the Brackley squad.

“When we were building the team, Adrian and he called me and said ‘Don’t sign, don’t do BAR, come with us at McLaren.’ But then there would have been the next step of talking with Ron Dennis, and we didn’t get along in those days, we really didn’t get along,” said Villeneuve.

“So I’m not sure that would have worked out socially and politically inside the team, that would have been very difficult. Also, when I got to Williams, I took David Coulthard’s seat, and that would have been the second time I would have taken his seat. I think I would have felt bad about that. But ultimately, that team won the championship.”

BAR Honda would ultimately be unsuccessful, with Villeneuve staying at the team until the 2003 season before brief stints with Renault, Sauber and BMW at the end of his career.