Jacques Villeneuve kicked the door off to escape an Italian toilet cubicle (Image: Instagram: jacques_villeneuve_official)
Former F1 world champion Jacques Villeneuve found himself in a surreal situation on his journey to Melbourne for next weekend’s . The 53-year-old was preparing to make the long voyage from Milan, Italy, when he suddenly found himself held captive in a toilet cubicle.
Like so many other fans, Villeneuve cannot wait for the 2025 season to get underway in just a few days’ time. For the lucky supporters in attendance, he will have worked harder than most to get there, as he kicked a toilet door clean off the hinges and took a knock to the head just to make his flight.
Villeneuve shared his ordeal via on Sunday afternoon, first posting a picture of himself inside the cubicle, captioned: “Been stuck in the toilets for the last 20 minutes and security incapable of getting me out. Toilet flushing every 30 seconds. Having a blast. Very impressive. Good start to the trip to Australia.”
Not long afterwards, Villeneuve revealed that he had managed to break free, but only after causing fairly serious damage to the airport facilities.
“Managed to get out after 30 minutes,” he wrote alongside a picture of the broken toilet door. “Had to kick the door down, and a block from the ceiling fell on my head. Ready to get down under. Travelling is [smiling face].”
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Jacques Villeneuve was recently made a Williams ambassador (Image: Getty)
Villeneuve won the Drivers’ Championship with Williams in 1997 and went on to complete 11 F1 seasons. In retirement, the Canadian has become known for his outspoken views on the sport, and he twice appeared as a pundit for Sky Sports in 2024.
Last month he landed himself a new role, becoming an ambassador for former team Williams alongside women’s motorsport star Jamie Chadwick and fellow F1 big shot Jenson Button. Williams made the appointments in order to ‘strengthen the connection between the team’s celebrated history and its ambitious future’.
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Villeneuve said: “Williams has been a crucial part of my life, filled with fond memories. I am ecstatic to be part of the family again, and to help celebrate the team’s heritage while supporting its future.”
Team principal James Vowles is happy to have Villeneuve, Button and Chadwick on board, saying: “It is a privilege to have them with the team. Together they are the perfect representation of this iconic team: the history we have made, our proud tradition of investing in future champions and opening up access to motorsport, and our ambition and determination to make history again.”