Rivals defend Hamilton after Villeneuve attack
Canadian Villeneuve, who left the sport last year, observed this week that 22-year-old Hamilton's start-line tactics remind him of Michael Schumacher, and marvelled that the rookie has not yet been penalised for 'chopping' in front of other drivers.
Hamilton's opponents including Alex Wurz and Giancarlo Fisichella, however, refused to tow the line as they lashed back at outspoken Villeneuve when facing reporters in Montreal on Thursday.
"I think Jacques might find it more and more difficult in the future to find comments he can give," Williams' Wurz said.
"I see nothing wrong with the moves he (Hamilton) is making. It's hard to defend your line."
Fisichella added: "Jacques says quite a lot of things in the media right now. He talks too much."
Hamilton's countryman Jenson Button, however – who was famously another victim of Villeneuve's acid tongue as his BAR-Honda teammate a few years ago – opted to stay out of the melee.
The Honda driver commented: "I've been so far back on the grid this year that I haven't seen any of the moves that have been going on. I wish I had but I haven't."