Jacques Breaks His Silence
Discussion
After two months out of the limelight, Jacques Villeneuve has broken his silence to blast Dave Richards, hail Jenson Button's World Championship prospects, and admit the prospects of him returning to F1 are remote.
After two months out of the limelight, Jacques Villeneuve has broken his silence to blast Dave Richards, hail Jenson Button's World Championship prospects, and admit the prospects of him returning to F1 are remote.
Much has been said of Jacques since the middle of October when the 1997 World Champion pulled out of the season finale at Suzuka but - for once! - Jacques himself has been quiet.
However, JV spoke to the press on Thursday in Switzerland and while he was scathing about the integrity of his former BAR boss, Jacques was warm in his praise for Jenson Button. The Englishman may have been compared to a 'boy band' before the 2003 season, but, 12 months later, Villeneuve is happy to acknowledge his respect for Button.
"I was suspicious before last season because Jenson was being hyped beyond what he had achieved as a driver. Since then, we had a really good relationship. Jenson did a great job for BAR last year, and I have got a lot more respect for him," Jacques told the Press Association.
"Jenson was being hailed as a future world champion as soon as he joined the team. I thought they should have had a little bit of respect for me, because I had worked my backside off for them for four years. Jenson got into the middle of it because he was being told every day by Richards that he would be a world champion. We had a falling-out at the first race in Australia - but after that we talked, and there was no problem.
"Jenson has potential to be a world champion but looks to me that he needs to be working with British people. He had a good first year at Williams then had an awful time at Benetton but has come good again at BAR. He did a solid job for them."
Yet the French/Canadian had rather different feelings towards Richards, who told him just days before the Japanese GP that his contract with BAR wouldn't be renewed. The news prompted a frustrated and angry Villeneuve to pull out of the race.
"There was no way I was going to risk my life for him. It had nothing to do with the team - it was all to do with David," he said.
"If David had told me last May I would not be racing for the team then there would have been no problem, but he told me I could trust him and that we could do something special together. I just could not listen to that and respect him in the end."
So what now for Villeneuve?
Unfortunately for his legions of fans, the man himself doesn't foresee a return to F1 in 2004 – and has no reason to believe that he could do in 2005 either.
"Unless I can drive a top car I am not sure I would consider it," he said. "And if there are no opportunities for 2004 why should there be any in 2005? I would not rule it out but I am not working towards it."
Jacques did rule out driving in Indy Car but also added that he would consider competing in the sports car series.
www.planet-f1.com/Home/story_13711.shtml
After two months out of the limelight, Jacques Villeneuve has broken his silence to blast Dave Richards, hail Jenson Button's World Championship prospects, and admit the prospects of him returning to F1 are remote.
Much has been said of Jacques since the middle of October when the 1997 World Champion pulled out of the season finale at Suzuka but - for once! - Jacques himself has been quiet.
However, JV spoke to the press on Thursday in Switzerland and while he was scathing about the integrity of his former BAR boss, Jacques was warm in his praise for Jenson Button. The Englishman may have been compared to a 'boy band' before the 2003 season, but, 12 months later, Villeneuve is happy to acknowledge his respect for Button.
"I was suspicious before last season because Jenson was being hyped beyond what he had achieved as a driver. Since then, we had a really good relationship. Jenson did a great job for BAR last year, and I have got a lot more respect for him," Jacques told the Press Association.
"Jenson was being hailed as a future world champion as soon as he joined the team. I thought they should have had a little bit of respect for me, because I had worked my backside off for them for four years. Jenson got into the middle of it because he was being told every day by Richards that he would be a world champion. We had a falling-out at the first race in Australia - but after that we talked, and there was no problem.
"Jenson has potential to be a world champion but looks to me that he needs to be working with British people. He had a good first year at Williams then had an awful time at Benetton but has come good again at BAR. He did a solid job for them."
Yet the French/Canadian had rather different feelings towards Richards, who told him just days before the Japanese GP that his contract with BAR wouldn't be renewed. The news prompted a frustrated and angry Villeneuve to pull out of the race.
"There was no way I was going to risk my life for him. It had nothing to do with the team - it was all to do with David," he said.
"If David had told me last May I would not be racing for the team then there would have been no problem, but he told me I could trust him and that we could do something special together. I just could not listen to that and respect him in the end."
So what now for Villeneuve?
Unfortunately for his legions of fans, the man himself doesn't foresee a return to F1 in 2004 – and has no reason to believe that he could do in 2005 either.
"Unless I can drive a top car I am not sure I would consider it," he said. "And if there are no opportunities for 2004 why should there be any in 2005? I would not rule it out but I am not working towards it."
Jacques did rule out driving in Indy Car but also added that he would consider competing in the sports car series.
www.planet-f1.com/Home/story_13711.shtml
Think JV will probably go to NASCAR.
Good to see that he admitted his earlier mistake of bad-mouthing Jenson....although could have been, just the reality that JB whipped him fair and square...and he underperformed.
Doubt if he will ever return to F1.....unless he starts up a new team - oh wait - he did that with CP and both were booted out.
A sad and undignified end....and in my opinion, where money matterred more to him than anything else...and that's where he lost.
Good to see that he admitted his earlier mistake of bad-mouthing Jenson....although could have been, just the reality that JB whipped him fair and square...and he underperformed.
Doubt if he will ever return to F1.....unless he starts up a new team - oh wait - he did that with CP and both were booted out.
A sad and undignified end....and in my opinion, where money matterred more to him than anything else...and that's where he lost.
Is there any point in starting all over again at the age of 32? With around forty races a season it's a demanding schedule, and much as I admire NASCAR I don't see how JV could find the motivation at this stage in his life. Better to 'do an Eddie' and find other interests.
If F1 had another ten teams they could have 30 cars on the grid, and there wouldn't be the need for so many good drivers to get elbowed out before their time.
Seems extraordinary that every major series except NASCAR finds it so difficult to afford a decent field. Supply and demand doesn't seem to apply any more, and you have to wonder why.
Is there an economist in the house?
If F1 had another ten teams they could have 30 cars on the grid, and there wouldn't be the need for so many good drivers to get elbowed out before their time.
Seems extraordinary that every major series except NASCAR finds it so difficult to afford a decent field. Supply and demand doesn't seem to apply any more, and you have to wonder why.
Is there an economist in the house?
If all-powerful Bernie slung his hook F1 might survive.
As it stands with the £25m (guessing) per car entry ticket, plus the season's competition budget there will be fewer and fewer teams entering and fewer drivers required. The loss of Prost and Arrows (with Minardi and Jordan probably not far behind) means the F1 grid features 20 (but could fall to 18 or 16) drivers.
F1 needs grids of 28 cars to have a balance of (i) young drivers on probation, (ii) mature drivers accumulating points and experience, (iii) pretenders to the throne, (iv) the elite and (v) yesterday's elite that are able to mix it down the grid to prove the mettle of those in categories (i) through (iii).
Without strong representation of drivers in category (v) there will not be sufficient racing to maintain interest and sponsorship, even if they scramble the grid or make it rain or whatever.
I suspect that the next 'elite' casualties will be Coulthard, probably before the end of 2004, and possibly even Barrichello since Ferrari must be looking to bring on a long term replacement for Schuey.
Maybe these plus all those other ex-F1 drivers, including Villeneuve, Irvine, McNish, Wilson (possibly, since it looks like Klein will get his Jag place) , Firman (probably), Verstappen (probably) will get places in the GPWC threatened car manufacturers championship ahead of its debut in 2007/8.
As it stands with the £25m (guessing) per car entry ticket, plus the season's competition budget there will be fewer and fewer teams entering and fewer drivers required. The loss of Prost and Arrows (with Minardi and Jordan probably not far behind) means the F1 grid features 20 (but could fall to 18 or 16) drivers.
F1 needs grids of 28 cars to have a balance of (i) young drivers on probation, (ii) mature drivers accumulating points and experience, (iii) pretenders to the throne, (iv) the elite and (v) yesterday's elite that are able to mix it down the grid to prove the mettle of those in categories (i) through (iii).
Without strong representation of drivers in category (v) there will not be sufficient racing to maintain interest and sponsorship, even if they scramble the grid or make it rain or whatever.
I suspect that the next 'elite' casualties will be Coulthard, probably before the end of 2004, and possibly even Barrichello since Ferrari must be looking to bring on a long term replacement for Schuey.
Maybe these plus all those other ex-F1 drivers, including Villeneuve, Irvine, McNish, Wilson (possibly, since it looks like Klein will get his Jag place) , Firman (probably), Verstappen (probably) will get places in the GPWC threatened car manufacturers championship ahead of its debut in 2007/8.
hut, agree with you 100%.
If only the wasted money could be saved. Race fees, yachts, executive jets, marble-floored pit garages, ultra million pound drivers and everything else 'over the top' must add up to enough for a 28 car grid.
Soon there won't be enough spectacle left to attract any television cash. Crunch time...
If only the wasted money could be saved. Race fees, yachts, executive jets, marble-floored pit garages, ultra million pound drivers and everything else 'over the top' must add up to enough for a 28 car grid.
Soon there won't be enough spectacle left to attract any television cash. Crunch time...
condor said:
Think JV will probably go to NASCAR.
Now that's funny!
No, won't happen, he's more likely to go bak into Cart (which would be good as it would be a much needed boost for that series) or, GOD FORBID, IRL, as the sense of danger might appeal to him. BUt maybe he's been so enclosed in F1 safety for so long he might not bother. But please, not IRL, it's shit!
Other than that, I can see him being offered Le Mans drives, and seeing as how he's the only other guy who can do the triple crown of Indy 500, F1 World Championship and Le Mans, that might appeal to him.
Racefan_uk said:
Think JV will probably go to NASCAR.
Now that's funny!
No, won't happen, ............
Other than that, I can see him being offered Le Mans drives, and seeing as how he's the only other guy who can do the triple crown of Indy 500, F1 World Championship and Le Mans, that might appeal to him.
A JV quote from a few days ago
"I'm interested in NASCAR racing in the USA and also in Le Mans. But only with a team of friends, maybe with Tom Kristensen and Patrick Lemarie. But there's nothing concrete in this at the moment."
Yesterday with an interview on TSN.ca
Canadian Press
12/12/2003
MONT-TREMBLANT, Que. (CP) - Jacques Villeneuve says it's unlikely he'll drive again in Formula One, but he hasn't written off a return to the world's top racing series.
The Iberville, Que., native also admitted Friday to being intrigued by NASCAR.
Villeneuve, sporting newly dyed red hair, found himself without a drive when the British American Racing team he helped found in 1999 opted not to renew his contract at the end of the 2003 season.
Chances of landing a drive in F-1 next year look slim for the 1997 world champion and the outspoken driver isn't sure he wants to return to the paddock. But he also isn't quite ready to call it a career.
``I haven't shut it out so completely that if a good opportunity came up I wouldn't take it,'' the 32-year-old driver told a news conference for his annual charity ski event. ``Right now, I don't feel like driving because I don't see anything good available, so I'm just laying back.
``Formula One doesn't seem like a possibility, although you never know what could happen. If someone decides to retire from one of the top teams, it could be interesting, but if not, I may look at NASCAR.''It is hard to imagine a driver raised amid the glitter of Monaco and schooled in pastoral Switzerland bumping and grinding with the good ol' boys in NASCAR, but Villeneuve said he may like to try it.``It's completely different from anything I've done before and that's a big part of the excitement,'' said Villeneuve, who has talked with NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon, but has made no overtures to drive in the stock-car circuit. ``Career-wise, in open wheel (racing), I can only see F-1.
``Le Mans would be a fun thing to do, but I don't see it as a career. The only exciting thing would be NASCAR, but I haven't even looked into it. Who knows? If I go into the paddock now, maybe after an hour I'd just want to escape. I have no idea.''
One attraction of NASCAR is that it is ``very different from Europe, or other racing series.``In Europe, when you achieve something, it gives everyone else a reason to try to destroy what you've achieved. In NASCAR, it's the other way around. It's always been important to respect the establishment.''
Craig Pollock, Villeneuve's manager, said the driver may be better off spending a year away from the race track. But he was more optimistic about his protege getting back into F-1.
``I'm in contact with every team, but we're not in a position to say anything,'' said Pollock. ``It's Jacques who is directing this, not me.``I'm just keeping the doors open.''
The only teams still with openings are the modest Minardi and Jordan teams.``That would be a possibility but I'm not looking into that right now,'' Villeneuve said.
After winning a championship with Williams, Villeneuve struggled along with the underperforming BAR car. In five years with the British team, he reached the podium only twice - both third-place finishes.
The driver's rancour was evident towards David Richards, who replaced Pollock as team boss at BAR two years ago.
When he learned he would not be kept by BAR, Villeneuve refused to drive in the final race of the season in Japan. He was replaced by Japanese driver Tacuma Sato.
Speaking of Richards, Villeneuve said: ``I didn't want to risk my life for that person, that's all.``And if I was going to be out of Formula One, I wanted it to be on my terms.''
Pollock said it was negotiated with BAR before the Japanese race that Villeneuve would not drive unless he had a contract extension.``The reason was that Jacques's heart was not into driving the car,'' said Pollock. ``In 1982, (Jacques' father) Gilles Villeneuve died in a very similar situation - when his heart and head weren't into it.``His decision was all about that. When you're not concentrating in an F-1 car, you can get hurt.''Gilles Villeneuve, a Ferrari driver from Berthierville, Que., who won the Canadian Grand Prix in 1978, was killed in a crash during free practice at the 1982 Belgian Grand Prix.
Jacques Villeneuve was at Mont-Tremblant for the 24-hour charity ski-a-thon that he and Pollock have organized for the past three years. They hope to raise at least $376,000 to help children stricken with cancer.
Former NHL defenceman Raymond Bourque is among the celebrities participating this year. He retired three years ago after winning a Stanley Cup with Colorado.
``There's something to be said for leaving on your own terms,'' said Bourque. ``One thing he (Villeneuve) has going for him is that he's still a young man.``I don't think it's over for him. Good people have a way of landing on their feet.''
Villeneuve won the CART championship and the Indianapolis 500 in 1995 before jumping to Formula One.
Canadian Press
12/12/2003
MONT-TREMBLANT, Que. (CP) - Jacques Villeneuve says it's unlikely he'll drive again in Formula One, but he hasn't written off a return to the world's top racing series.
The Iberville, Que., native also admitted Friday to being intrigued by NASCAR.
Villeneuve, sporting newly dyed red hair, found himself without a drive when the British American Racing team he helped found in 1999 opted not to renew his contract at the end of the 2003 season.
Chances of landing a drive in F-1 next year look slim for the 1997 world champion and the outspoken driver isn't sure he wants to return to the paddock. But he also isn't quite ready to call it a career.
``I haven't shut it out so completely that if a good opportunity came up I wouldn't take it,'' the 32-year-old driver told a news conference for his annual charity ski event. ``Right now, I don't feel like driving because I don't see anything good available, so I'm just laying back.
``Formula One doesn't seem like a possibility, although you never know what could happen. If someone decides to retire from one of the top teams, it could be interesting, but if not, I may look at NASCAR.''It is hard to imagine a driver raised amid the glitter of Monaco and schooled in pastoral Switzerland bumping and grinding with the good ol' boys in NASCAR, but Villeneuve said he may like to try it.``It's completely different from anything I've done before and that's a big part of the excitement,'' said Villeneuve, who has talked with NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon, but has made no overtures to drive in the stock-car circuit. ``Career-wise, in open wheel (racing), I can only see F-1.
``Le Mans would be a fun thing to do, but I don't see it as a career. The only exciting thing would be NASCAR, but I haven't even looked into it. Who knows? If I go into the paddock now, maybe after an hour I'd just want to escape. I have no idea.''
One attraction of NASCAR is that it is ``very different from Europe, or other racing series.``In Europe, when you achieve something, it gives everyone else a reason to try to destroy what you've achieved. In NASCAR, it's the other way around. It's always been important to respect the establishment.''
Craig Pollock, Villeneuve's manager, said the driver may be better off spending a year away from the race track. But he was more optimistic about his protege getting back into F-1.
``I'm in contact with every team, but we're not in a position to say anything,'' said Pollock. ``It's Jacques who is directing this, not me.``I'm just keeping the doors open.''
The only teams still with openings are the modest Minardi and Jordan teams.``That would be a possibility but I'm not looking into that right now,'' Villeneuve said.
After winning a championship with Williams, Villeneuve struggled along with the underperforming BAR car. In five years with the British team, he reached the podium only twice - both third-place finishes.
The driver's rancour was evident towards David Richards, who replaced Pollock as team boss at BAR two years ago.
When he learned he would not be kept by BAR, Villeneuve refused to drive in the final race of the season in Japan. He was replaced by Japanese driver Tacuma Sato.
Speaking of Richards, Villeneuve said: ``I didn't want to risk my life for that person, that's all.``And if I was going to be out of Formula One, I wanted it to be on my terms.''
Pollock said it was negotiated with BAR before the Japanese race that Villeneuve would not drive unless he had a contract extension.``The reason was that Jacques's heart was not into driving the car,'' said Pollock. ``In 1982, (Jacques' father) Gilles Villeneuve died in a very similar situation - when his heart and head weren't into it.``His decision was all about that. When you're not concentrating in an F-1 car, you can get hurt.''Gilles Villeneuve, a Ferrari driver from Berthierville, Que., who won the Canadian Grand Prix in 1978, was killed in a crash during free practice at the 1982 Belgian Grand Prix.
Jacques Villeneuve was at Mont-Tremblant for the 24-hour charity ski-a-thon that he and Pollock have organized for the past three years. They hope to raise at least $376,000 to help children stricken with cancer.
Former NHL defenceman Raymond Bourque is among the celebrities participating this year. He retired three years ago after winning a Stanley Cup with Colorado.
``There's something to be said for leaving on your own terms,'' said Bourque. ``One thing he (Villeneuve) has going for him is that he's still a young man.``I don't think it's over for him. Good people have a way of landing on their feet.''
Villeneuve won the CART championship and the Indianapolis 500 in 1995 before jumping to Formula One.
Gassing Station | General Motorsport | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff