Motorsport: Villeneuve laments loss of older drivers

Drivers of the calibre of Juan Pablo Montoya will be missed in Formula One because teams would rather groom cheap youngsters than hire strong-minded older drivers, according to Canadian Jacques Villeneuve.

The mercurial Montoya announced at the weekend that he was leaving for the US Nascar stock car series, a decision that led to the Colombian's immediate replacement at McLaren by Spanish test driver Pedro de la Rosa.

De la Rosa, 35, is unlikely to retain the drive beyond the season, with young Britons Gary Paffett and Lewis Hamilton waiting for their moment. Villeneuve, the 1997 world champion, spoke candidly at the French Grand Prix about his own prospects of staying in the sport after his BMW Sauber contract expires at the end of the year.

"There have not been much discussions. It seems that experience is not wanted," he said.

The 35-year-old's position is under threat from Polish youngster Robert Kubica, the team's test driver, despite winning plaudits for his recent form.

Asked whether the sport would miss Montoya's presence, Villeneuve replied: "It depends with whom he's replaced, which means probably.

"It's just seeing who normally comes into Formula One. If it's a 20-year-old who is out of Formula Ford, then no it won't be exciting because he will be groomed corporately.

"I think the teams have decided that they can find the rare diamond that will be the next Alonso. And that guy will stay with their team and cost no money," added the 35-year-old Canadian.

"What they fail to realise is if one day he becomes quick, another team will spend money for him so they will not keep him and the few years that they groomed him serve no purpose.

"Ultimately it doesn't serve much. Because it has worked with one, they don't realise that it hasn't worked with the 20 others."

Renault's 24-year-old world champion Fernando Alonso announced last year that he was leaving the French team for McLaren at the end of this season.

He could be replaced at Renault by Finnish test driver Heikki Kovalainen, like Alonso carefully groomed by team boss Flavio Briatore.

"Actually some older drivers are very cheap, cheaper than ones who haven't won races for example," said Villeneuve.

- REUTERS