Jacques Villeneuve spots key Mercedes F1 weakness despite Kimi Antonelli’s Japanese GP win

Jacques Villeneuve believes Mercedes’ 2026 car is vulnerable in dirty air despite Antonelli’s Japanese GP win, with both drivers struggling to recover through traffic

1997 Formula 1 champion Jacques Villeneuve has pointed to a weakness in Mercedes' 2026 machinery.

While the Brackley outfit has had a dominant start to the season, winning every grand prix and sprint race to date, Villeneuve has claimed that the Mercedes struggles to fight in dirty air.

Antonelli became the youngest driver to lead the drivers' standings after his second win of the season at the Japanese Grand Prix. The Italian driver converted pole position into a race win, but only after a terrible start left him making his way back up the grid. He capitalised on a well-timed safety car to take back the lead of the race, and maintained his position to the chequered flag.

"Well, he was the quickest car all weekend. So winning was logical, but he really messed up his start. So then does that really make you a winner deserving? Who knows?" Villeneuve told F1 TV after the race.

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Photo by: Andy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images

"And he had a hard time to come back through the field. And it was the same thing for Russell. It seems that the car in traffic, all the other ones can fight, can stay in traffic, the Mercedes can't. They need to be in the fresh air.

"Then, obviously, a little bit of a helping hand [from the safety car]. And he maximised that situation. He was very good at that. And when you want to win a race, you also need to take the situations and put them in your favour."

Antonelli's Mercedes team-mate George Russell finished fourth after facing similar issues with traffic. Having pitted one lap before the safety car was deployed, he lost out to those who could benefit from a 'cheap' pitstop under safety car conditions. He was then forced to battle through the field to take fourth place.