Villeneuve critical of Hamilton 'chopping'

Hamilton is the most successful rookie in Formula One history, and has earned praise for several spectacular moves at the first corners of races.

But Villeneuve is far from impressed with what he has seen, and has questioned some aggressive defensive moves from Hamilton away from the grid.

"When will these chopping moves stop?" Villeneuve told this week's Autosport magazine. "Lewis is not getting penalised for these things and his behaviour off the startline has started to look the way Michael [Schumacher] used to.

"So far, he has been lucky, so we'll see if it carries on. He makes progressive moves that would have got some of the other drivers black-flagged."

Although Hamilton has finished on the podium at every race so far this year to hold joint lead in the world championship with teammate Fernando Alonso, Villeneuve still thinks the youngster has to prove himself.

"Lewis is very fast, but he still has to step up to the plate and beat Alonso," he said. "And we still haven't seen how he reacts under pressure; that will be interesting to watch."