BAR 'Fame Academy' Angers Villeneuve

[V8 Archie]

Metro said:

Jacques Villeneuve has been left stunned and angry after being told he faces the humiliating prospect of taking part in a Fame Academy-style contest to keep his Formula One seat. The 1997 world champion may have to race off against several rivals to decide who partners Jenson Button at BAR next year. And, incredibly, attitude and presentation will also be judged in a high-speed pageant which would be ridiculed as a gimmick by the Canadian's F1 rivals if it goes ahead... 'It is an interesting way of finding out who can perform,' [BAR boss Dave Richards] said. 'We're talking about something more technical and detailed but it is an intriguing idea. 'My job is to find the fastest and best driver for BAR Honda. It's not just a gimmick.'

Oh, how the mighty are fallen .

>>> Edited by V8 Archie on Wednesday 17th September 10:46

[FourWheelDrift]

Are they going to the get Ant & Dec to go round the country filming auditions in front of Pete Waterman, Neil Fox, "bird I can't rememeber the name of" and Evil Simon Cowell then?

Categories judged will be :-

- PR "Ron-Speak"
- Ability to attract beautiful girlfriends
- Choosing the right home, in Monaco
- Shades style
- Ability to throw the words "for sure" into as many conversations as possible
- Remember after the race to thank tyre supplier, engine supplier, team, family, Bernie and the chap you met just before the race whilst having a last minute pi$$.

That's it.

- Oh nearly forgot, something about being able to drive

[eric mc]

This proposal beggars belief.

What an insult.

Is this another indicator of the abysmal depths F1 is prepared to plumb to maintain audience interest?

[V8 Archie]

I think it's more a sign of how desperate BAR are to offload Villeneuve.

[condor]

I certainly don't agree with Dave Richard's antics...especially using Jenson's gf's experience of 'fame academy'...

...BUT Jacques has, to a large extent, brought this upon himself.

...can't remember the exact quote at the start of the season...but went something along the lines that if he couldn't beat Jenson then he didn'nt deserve to be in F1.

Quite right

[kevinday]

V8 Archie said:

I think it's more a sign of how desperate BAR are to offload Villeneuve.

I agree, JV has consistently proved how mediocre he is this year, he only beats JB when JB does not finish the race.

[FourWheelDrift]

Jacques says

"A shoot-out is for new up and coming drivers. I wouldn't do it, you wouldn't do it and Madonna wouldn't do it. I wouldn't do it."

So I think he won't do it Didn't know Madonna drove F1 cars?

[Hughesie2]

FourWheelDrift said:

So I think he won't do it Didn't know Madonna drove F1 cars?

She could probably have done a better job this year...

[condor]

Apparently Richards was only joking

www.canoe.ca/NewsStand/TorontoSun/Sports/2003/09/20/197668.html

[McNab]

FourWheelDrift said:

Didn't know Madonna drove F1 cars?

Course you didn't - her razor works...

[marki]

FourWheelDrift said:

So I think he won't do it Didn't know Madonna drove F1 cars?

Maybe he meant "Prima Dona"

[condor]

There seem to be four drivers who may be invited to participate in a shoot-out for the second seat alongside Jenson Button. They are expected to be Luciano Burti , F3000 champion Bjorn Wirdheim, BAR's former test driver Darren Manning and BAR's current test driver, Takuma Sato.

So I guess that JV is definately out then.

[FourWheelDrift]

This is the result of the Autosport vote for "Who should drive the 2nd BAR next year"

This was result of the official vote.
Jacques Villeneuve – 70.5%
Takuma Sato – 29.5%


This was the result of the unpublished, unofficial vote.
Jacques Villeneuve - 11%
Mr Bean 89%




>> Edited by FourWheelDrift on Wednesday 1st October 17:23

[condor]

Well JV is definately not driving for BAR next year...and might not even run the last race of this year....as he might have a lack of motivation.

[s2ooz]

condor said:

Well JV is definately not driving for BAR next year...and might not even run the last race of this year....as he might have a lack of motivation.

thats what I heard. so now for an apology for his ridicule of button at the season start? I doubt it.
why stand up and admit he was wrong, when he remain looking like a jumped up pratt.

[simonrockman]

I'd rather like to see Rowan Atkinson in Top Gear's 'star in a reasonably priced car'.

Simon

[FourWheelDrift]

BAR will announce its 2004 driver line-up in a press conference to be held tomorrow (Tuesday), in Tokyo, Japan, ending months of speculation about who will race for the squad next season. Rowan Atkinson is currently in Japan promoting "Johnny Engrish"