JACQUES VILLENEUVE has launched an astonishing attack on Formula One chief Max Mosley and his fellow drivers, describing the new rules to restrict speed for the 1998 season as "total crap" and claiming many of his rivals were only in the sport for the money.

Villeneuve says in an interview to be published in today's Der Spiegel: "Apart from Michael Schumacher, no other driver has the courage to say clearly and publicly that the new rules are total crap."

The Williams driver was referring to new safety rules restricting tyre specifications, car width and speed.

"There's no longer any difference between Monaco and a 160 kmh bend at Barcelona - no faster heartbeat, no adrenalin, nothing but disappointment," Villeneuve said.

The French Canadian said exactly the opposite modifications were needed to improve the sport. "We need bigger tyres and 70 per cent smaller front and hack wings," he said, claiming that most of his fellow drivers supported his ideas.

"But Mr Mosley, who has never driven in a race, thinks he knows better," added Villeneuve.

In fact, International Automobile Federation (FIA) president Mosley was a Formula Two driver in 1968.

Villeneuve had harsh words too, for some of his rivals in Formula One: "Some of them have reached the point where money is the most important thing, more important than pushing it to the edge. That's why no one protests when new rules are introduced for 1998 which slow the cars down," Villeneuve said.

"Each one of them only cares about himself and doesn't want to rock the boat."

Villeneuve said later he was `astonished' at the publication of the interview, saying he hadn't discussed any of the points raised with anybody for at least a month.

Although the Canadian ace didn't go so far as to deny any of the comments, he said the remarks were out of context.

Asked if he expected to be sanctioned by the FIA over what he was reported to have said, Villeneuve said: "If they want to disqualify me - let them. Surely everyone should have the right to speak their minds. I am accused of saying in public what 90 per cent of the drivers say in private."