This is continues the Villeneuve thread:

Lewis Hamilton's rivals have defended the McLaren rookie from accusations that his startline tactics are too aggressive and should be subject to action from the FIA.

Former world champion Jacques Villeneuve questioned Hamilton's defensive moves off the start of races, claiming that other drivers would have been punished if they had acted as the rookie did.

But Villeneuve's views have not found support in the paddock at Montreal, with Hamilton's rivals all in agreement that he has done nothing wrong.

BMW Sauber's Nick Heidfeld, who has started most of this season's races right behind Hamilton, has said that he was not aware of anything that could be cause for concern.

"I've not seen anything from in the car or also when I have watched the races on television afterwards - although I haven't focused specifically on him," he said when asked by autosport.com about Villeneuve's comments.

"I definitely didn't see anything...have you seen anything?"

Red Bull Racing's Mark Webber acknowledged that Hamilton had been aggressive at starts, but felt he had not overstepped the mark on what was acceptable.

"I saw a replay of Malaysia and he was a little bit cheeky with Massa, but it was alright," said the Australian. "We've all got good memories."

Williams' Alexander Wurz claimed that the controversy probably had more to do with Villeneuve trying to stay in the spotlight.

"I think Jacques might find it more and more difficult in the future to find comments that we can be asked about," he said. "I see nothing wrong with the moves he [Hamilton] is making. It's hard to defend your line."

Giancarlo Fisichella added: "Jacques says quite a lot of things in the media right now. He talks too much."

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Jacques should watch some of his dads antics.

He was hardly mother Teresa when it came to agressive driving.

I like Jacques, but sometimes he talks bollocks.

I don't like Jacques, he always speaks crap!

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i though it was his signing that was crap?

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motorstv

ummm not sure

Hey, at least JV gave a *different* opinion to the rest of the hanger on ex-F1 drivers like Mark Blundell, Damon Hill and Jackie Stewart... I listen to the latter folks and just think they're saying what they perceive the public wants to hear, which really adds very little value... after Lewis's spectacular season so far, it doesn't take an ex-F1 driver to be able to see that he could well be World champion this year...

I do, however, agree that JV is well off the mark... it's refreshing to see Lewis fighting for F1 places and I think he's been a great thing for the sport... he is, I think, also bringing others up with him... DC seems to have a new spark this year, despite his car not being the best, Nico is driving out of himself and Nick Heidfeld is a completely new man...

Bravo to Lewis, and here's hoping that today he gets his first race win... it will be a far more glorious day for British sport than Jenson Button's rather fortuitous first victory at Hungary last year, where the weather rather than pure driver ability was what sealed the race for him...

Sean

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Supporting McLaren and Force India in F1 and Ralf Schumacher in DTM

That is one way of looking at it

I'm a massive Hamilton fan, have been since he was in karts, but the constant blowing smoke up his arse is really starting to irritate me

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