Outspoken Formula 1 champion Jacques Villeneuve says former rival Michael Schumacher's "total lack of respect" has given way to an era in which young racers are driving so dangerously that the Canadian is surprised that on-track injuries are not more common.

Villeneuve and Schumacher's 1997 title battle ended in acrimony and controversy as the Ferrari man appeared to deliberately crash into the Canadian at the final race of the year in Jerez.

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The incident only served to eliminate Schumacher from the race, while Villeneuve drove on to secure the points needed to win the title.

In any case, Schumacher was disqualified from the championship over the move, which echoed back to a similar moment which secured him the 1994 title at Damon Hill's expense, for which Schumacher went unpunished.

"He had a total lack of respect for other drivers and what racing is all about," Villeneuve told the Expressen of Schumacher.

"It started an era where everyone does the same. I look at Formula 2 and Formula 3 and it's strange that we don't have a couple of deaths every year.

"In F1 it's almost everyone too. They change lines and move when braking - things you should not see."

Villeneuve hopes that a new era could be in its infancy now, led by Lewis Hamilton, whom he claims to be a much fairer racer than Schumacher.

"Lewis is great because so far he has done nothing that is beyond the boundaries," said Villeneuve.

"That's the big difference - he's more of a gentleman on the track. A quick driver but clean."