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Jacques Villeneuve is back in F1...
- Thread starter Dekajelly
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http://www.pitpass.com/fes_php/pitpass_news_item.php?fes_art_id=22308
"A number of calls to various people at Enstone indicate that Villeneuve is not at the factory, nor is he expected."
i think that the media has just gone crazy...
"A number of calls to various people at Enstone indicate that Villeneuve is not at the factory, nor is he expected."
i think that the media has just gone crazy...
The Bookerman
Member
Where are the villeneuve haters again?
Warm Machine
Member
The Bookerman said:
There are villeneuve haters?
I'm kind of a Villnoo hater. He's washed up and overrated. Not sure how you can be both, but he is most certainly that. His sell by date has long been exceeded. He was great when the WDC was still fresh and people could remember him winning races. Then he went to a BAR team and managed to take them nowhere until Button showed up. I'm not giving Button all the credit, but he's done a lot more for the team than JV has, period. The Williams went backwards under JV too. Engine change or not, they were also-rans. Great drivers don't allow their vehicles to stagnate. Not like that at least. And n that BAR, JV managed to be beaten by Benson over the full season. And he made the bold statement that he would retire if outdriven by the Brit. Well, done and done. JV's better off watching F1 at home on his couch. When you're winning, all the talk is "bold and daring". When you're a perennial loser and still feel the need to spout off nonsense, then it's just plain bullshit. JV will not be missed by this F1 fan. I welcome his return to a top team though so he can once again get his ass kicked by Michael and this time Alonso will embarass him worse than Button did. Renault is most certainly Fonso and Flav's team, and JV will be in even more dire straights there. PEACE.
Malakhov
Banned
The Bookerman
Member
FUCK YEAH.
BACK IN BUIZNESS BIOTCH
BACK IN BUIZNESS BIOTCH
Great news...a rested, refreshed, reinvigorated Villeneuve can only add to F1, which let's face it is boring as sin (as much as I love Kimi, he's the worst interview in all of sports). Hopefully Sauber signs him on for 2005...that appears to be his only hopeful destination at this point. Should Jacques take part in the last three races, his performances will obviously help determine his fate with that team. And hey, if he sucks he sucks...but at least we'll know for sure. Fact of the matter is he drove a bad car for a bad team up until last year, though much of that was to do with the amount of money he was swallowing up in salary. The switch to Michelin from Bridgestone also helped BAR huge...had they stuck with the B's they probably would've been a half second to a second off the pace.
I guess you were still in your diapers in 1997, because you don't seem to remember Jacques beating Shumi's sore loser ass, head-to-head as he tried to crash into him when he saw he was toast. :/Pimpwerx said:
Anyway this is incredible news for, Im actually gonna start watch F1 again. I have a feeling Ecclestone put some pressure for this to happen.
Buggy Loop
Gold Member
Kickass, if Villeneuve can bring Renault ahead of BAR in 3 races, thats all he needs to be back on the scene and interest other teams.
He's been away from F1 for quite a while, has kept training for it and he has 3 races to prove himself on a team thats pretty solid, im pretty sure he'll push very hard to get some attention from other teams. Its so exciting
Interest in F1 rising.. rising..
He's been away from F1 for quite a while, has kept training for it and he has 3 races to prove himself on a team thats pretty solid, im pretty sure he'll push very hard to get some attention from other teams. Its so exciting
Interest in F1 rising.. rising..
Bah! Us Schuey fans have suffered enough for Jerez dammit. I think if 7 years is enough to be forgiven for a bankrupsy, then it's enough for this.ghostface said:
I'll give JV respect for being a good racer and actually pretty sharp in those first few years. But he's fallen off and was beaten by Button. He's only midpack IMO, but we'll see. I was so happy knowing big mouth was a couch jockey. :lol Oh well, I expect him to be embarassed by Alonso, although he'll show much better in the races than Trolley. I'd much rather see Liuzzi get a shot at that seat. But whatever. Good luck to Jacques. I hope he comes back rejuvenated. If he can drive like he did in 96-98, then he'll be fine. He's the only driver Michael takes care passing. I don't know if it's out of respect or fear Jacques will someday get his revenge. :lol PEACE.One of the coolest battles from last year was at that crazy race at Silverstone, where it took five or six laps for Michael to get past Jacques while they were in the middle of the pack. It was really good stuff...they got right next to each other a couple of times, and with the bad blood they had between them at the time I was sure someone was going to get bumped. They've apparantely patched things up since then though.
Jacques Villeneuve got behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car for the first time since last years United States GP when he rolled out of the Silverstone pit lane in a Renault on Wednesday morning.
The French-Canadian completed one installation lap shortly before 10 a.m. and two laps at speed 15 minutes thereafter.
Things didnt go entirely according to plan as Villeneuve experienced minor problems getting comfortable in the car. The team are reported to be carrying out adjustments to his seating position before he ventures out for a proper run.
The former world champion is taking part in a two-day trial run for the French team, who are assessing their options now that they have confirmed their split with Jarno Trulli. If he impresses, Villeneuve will race for Renault in the final three races of the season at Shanghai, Suzuka and Interlagos.
Renault would appear to be in a win/win situation, since the test gives them an opportunity both to evaluate Villeneuve and to measure their highly-rated lead driver Fernando Alonso against an established yardstick albeit one who now has plenty to prove.
Above all, a fully-motivated Villeneuve will potentially boost their chances of regaining second place in the constructors championship from arch-rivals BAR, which they relinquished at Monza last weekend.
Villeneuve, meanwhile, is effectively using his appearances with Renault as an audition for a race seat next year.
Recent reports have linked him to the Sauber berth vacated by the Renault-bound Giancarlo Fisichella. But it is likely he will have to see off young Italian hotshot Vitantonio Liuzzi, who has Red Bull connections and will test for the Swiss team at Jerez this Thursday.
We'll bring you more news of Villeneuves progress as the day unfolds.
He's signed to race at Sauber for the next two years.
http://www.autosport.com/
Jacques Villeneuve may be testing a Renault this week but it is at Sauber where his future lies.
The Swiss based team today (Wednesday) announced that they had signed the former world champion on a two-year contract which takes effect in November.
I have to admit that signing a former World Champion is something truly special for me, Peter Sauber, team principal, said of the announcement.
However, I want to make it clear that this was not the decisive factor. When I was talking to Jacques, I could feel that he is absolutely keen and committed to return to Formula One.
He was always a great fighter and I am convinced that together we can achieve a lot.
I fully realise that signing a former World Champion is also an obligation for the team to provide him with a car that meets his expectations.
Sauber has made considerable progress this year, and I am confident that we are ready to tackle this challenge.
For Villeneuve the news ends a year in the Formula One wilderness one it seemed that his career may not recover from.
But determination served the French-Canadian well and his long-term future is now secure.
I am extremely excited to be back in Formula One with the Sauber team, and I appreciate the confidence everybody is showing in me, he said.
It is my goal to work with Peter and his team to bring them forward in the championship during the next two seasons.
In my recent visit to Sauber I have been extremely impressed by the professionalism which is apparent throughout the factory.
I am looking forward to seeing the results that will be developed by the state-of-the-art wind tunnel.
But Villenueves long-awaited return may be a lot earlier than Melbourne 2005.
He is due to test for Renault this week where he is likely to replace the recently ousted Jarno Trulli for the remainder of the season.
Villeneuve will partner Brazils Felipe Massa at Sauber next season.
http://www.autosport.com/
Jacques Villeneuve may be testing a Renault this week but it is at Sauber where his future lies.
The Swiss based team today (Wednesday) announced that they had signed the former world champion on a two-year contract which takes effect in November.
I have to admit that signing a former World Champion is something truly special for me, Peter Sauber, team principal, said of the announcement.
However, I want to make it clear that this was not the decisive factor. When I was talking to Jacques, I could feel that he is absolutely keen and committed to return to Formula One.
He was always a great fighter and I am convinced that together we can achieve a lot.
I fully realise that signing a former World Champion is also an obligation for the team to provide him with a car that meets his expectations.
Sauber has made considerable progress this year, and I am confident that we are ready to tackle this challenge.
For Villeneuve the news ends a year in the Formula One wilderness one it seemed that his career may not recover from.
But determination served the French-Canadian well and his long-term future is now secure.
I am extremely excited to be back in Formula One with the Sauber team, and I appreciate the confidence everybody is showing in me, he said.
It is my goal to work with Peter and his team to bring them forward in the championship during the next two seasons.
In my recent visit to Sauber I have been extremely impressed by the professionalism which is apparent throughout the factory.
I am looking forward to seeing the results that will be developed by the state-of-the-art wind tunnel.
But Villenueves long-awaited return may be a lot earlier than Melbourne 2005.
He is due to test for Renault this week where he is likely to replace the recently ousted Jarno Trulli for the remainder of the season.
Villeneuve will partner Brazils Felipe Massa at Sauber next season.
With that announcement most of the good seats are filled for next year... it's giong to be a boring summer (winter) if there's only like 2 seats (toyota, though that'll prolly goto Trulli soon, and BAR) to talk about
On the other hand, it's great hear that he's back!!! And his lap time isn't bad for his first time in that car, and it's close to alonso's.
On the other hand, it's great hear that he's back!!! And his lap time isn't bad for his first time in that car, and it's close to alonso's.
LusDekkar said:
44 laps and he's beaten Alonso's time according to Gazzetta dello Sport.
1.19.620, very impressive.
http://www.gazzetta.it/primi_piani/motori/2004/pp_1.0.509380275.shtml
Meh, beating Alonso's time in testing is inconclusive. Could have been different tire compounds, conditions, etc... Ok, I'm not gonna rain on the JV parade too much. I'm just saying.
Anyway, Sauber needs someone like him. I figured that seat would go to DC, but JV is a better choice. You need someone with some experience to take over for Fisi, b/c Massa ain't cutting it on his own. I guess this means Trulli and DC will be going to Yota and BAR respectively? Looks that way at least. Where's that gonna put Liuzzi next year, a Friday seat? And what of Anthony Davidson? He should be getting a seat soon too.
Oh yeah, looks like Ralf's back and in fine form again. We'll see how he does in China though. I think he's supposed to be back in the car there. PEACE.
Ok, I'm not gonna rain on the JV parade too much. I'm just saying. Anyway, Sauber needs someone like him. I figured that seat would go to DC, but JV is a better choice. You need someone with some experience to take over for Fisi, b/c Massa ain't cutting it on his own. I guess this means Trulli and DC will be going to Yota and BAR respectively? Looks that way at least. Where's that gonna put Liuzzi next year, a Friday seat? And what of Anthony Davidson? He should be getting a seat soon too.
Oh yeah, looks like Ralf's back and in fine form again. We'll see how he does in China though. I think he's supposed to be back in the car there. PEACE.
The Bookerman
Member
Ughhh.....
Sauber?
I hate those fucks.
Why the fuck did he sign for them. He'll have to be a cronnie for Ferrari and Mr schumacher.
Sauber?
I hate those fucks.
Why the fuck did he sign for them. He'll have to be a cronnie for Ferrari and Mr schumacher.
Dekajelly said:
:lol And people claimed he's lost it (yeah, I'm looking at you Duane!). No one with that amount of talent just loses it. What he clearly lost was the fire in his belly, which is understandable when you're stuck in a shit car for five years. When you lose that, you're not going to perform as well.
Guess this is the closest JV will ever get to driving a Ferrari, just like his father. If they were going with this year's regulations in 2005, he'd be sitting pretty with the 2004 spec Ferrari engine. As it is the drastically different specifications that may come into effect next year (eight cylinder engines? WTF is this, touring car?) would mean brand new, unproven engines, probably slightly detuned. That could mean reliability issues crop up, even more so considering the engines are supposed to last for what, two race weekends? Stupid rules if you ask me...gotta be a better way to reduce costs and speed.
Assuming Button goes to Williams, and I can't see how he won't (BAR will probably get some sort of compensation to placatate them), could they bring back the other ex-champion that wants to come back? If Mika Hakkinen fills that other seat it'll be just like old time, at least in terms of names. Finnish fans would probably lose it seeing Mika and Kimi battling for position.
Anyway, I'm happy as Gilligan over this...hopefully JV can fill the Reanult seat for the final three races. The sooner he races again, the better.
I agree, but I don't think he wanted to pass up a deal that wasn't guaranteed to be there for long when seats have fast become a premium. And he certainly didn't want to get left twisting in the wind with nowhere to go like he was last year. Plus I think driving a car with a Ferrari engine has a special cache for him, as odd as it sounds. If nothing else you know that engine will be as reliable as any on the block, which will be welcome news for a guy who's Honda engines blew up on him damn near half the time. Hell, I thought Reanult had the second seat filled up already anyway, or at least a guy they're pretty close to signing. Guess I was wrong.
Oh BTW, here are the final times for today's testing session...they're gonna put another day in tomorrow.
Leading times (15 September) - Silverstone:
1. Kimi Raikkonen McLaren-Mercedes 1m 16.150s 60 laps M
2. Takuma Sato BAR-Honda 1m 17.128s 86 laps M
3. Pedro de la Rosa McLaren-Mercedes 1m 17.207s 94 laps M
4. Olivier Panis Toyota-Toyota 1m 17.269s 101 laps M
5. Jenson Button BAR-Honda 1m 17.597s 103 laps M
6. Ricardo Zonta Toyota-Toyota 1m 17.651s 132 laps M
7. Marc Gene Williams-BMW 1m 17.719s 81 laps M
8. Fernando Alonso Renault-Renault 1m 17.794s 37 laps M
9. Ralf Schumacher Williams-BMW 1m 18.383s 37 laps M
10. Jacques Villeneuve Renault-Renault 1m 18.779s 70 laps M
M denotes Michelin tyres.
All times unofficial - courtesy of McLaren.
Comparative lap times:
British GP 2004:
Fastest lap: Michael Schumacher Ferrari 1min 18.739secs
Pole position: Kimi Raikkonen McLaren-Mercedes 1min 18.233secs
JV was last damnit...guess he sucks after all. :lol And Kimi's time is just ridiculous, when put up against the comparative times for the race earlier this year. What a stud.
I continue my shameless JV whoring by pasting his reasons for signing with the Sauber team...
Oh BTW, here are the final times for today's testing session...they're gonna put another day in tomorrow.
Leading times (15 September) - Silverstone:
1. Kimi Raikkonen McLaren-Mercedes 1m 16.150s 60 laps M
2. Takuma Sato BAR-Honda 1m 17.128s 86 laps M
3. Pedro de la Rosa McLaren-Mercedes 1m 17.207s 94 laps M
4. Olivier Panis Toyota-Toyota 1m 17.269s 101 laps M
5. Jenson Button BAR-Honda 1m 17.597s 103 laps M
6. Ricardo Zonta Toyota-Toyota 1m 17.651s 132 laps M
7. Marc Gene Williams-BMW 1m 17.719s 81 laps M
8. Fernando Alonso Renault-Renault 1m 17.794s 37 laps M
9. Ralf Schumacher Williams-BMW 1m 18.383s 37 laps M
10. Jacques Villeneuve Renault-Renault 1m 18.779s 70 laps M
M denotes Michelin tyres.
All times unofficial - courtesy of McLaren.
Comparative lap times:
British GP 2004:
Fastest lap: Michael Schumacher Ferrari 1min 18.739secs
Pole position: Kimi Raikkonen McLaren-Mercedes 1min 18.233secs
JV was last damnit...guess he sucks after all. :lol And Kimi's time is just ridiculous, when put up against the comparative times for the race earlier this year. What a stud.
I continue my shameless JV whoring by pasting his reasons for signing with the Sauber team...
And now Trolley is officially with Yota. Look out for the cowboy hats next year. Toyota's got two of the top development drivers in Ralf and Jarno. Of course, neither is particularly brilliant in the race, but Ralf's at least a proven winner, and Jarno has always been good qualifying. Gascoyne's got his hands dirty with the car design now too, so that's very positive. I see them vaulting into the fray next year with all the funding they have. They could be formidable. People doubt Ralf a lot, but I wouldn't be suprised if he starts winning races with the team in short order. And if he can manage to outqualify Trulli, then that would be even more impressive. Trulli was beating Alonso until Flav started favoring his golden boy. PEACE.
Look out for the cowboy hats next year. Toyota's got two of the top development drivers in Ralf and Jarno. Of course, neither is particularly brilliant in the race, but Ralf's at least a proven winner, and Jarno has always been good qualifying. Gascoyne's got his hands dirty with the car design now too, so that's very positive. I see them vaulting into the fray next year with all the funding they have. They could be formidable. People doubt Ralf a lot, but I wouldn't be suprised if he starts winning races with the team in short order. And if he can manage to outqualify Trulli, then that would be even more impressive. Trulli was beating Alonso until Flav started favoring his golden boy. PEACE.I really feel bad for Trulli...he seems like a nice guy, and it wasn't right that he took all the shit for Renault's fuck ups. Nobody wants to say it, but Alonso simply hasn't been as good as he was last year. It isn't like Kimi where his cars haven't given him a chance most weekends to show his pace, blowing up on lap 9. When he's had the car, he's had a first and second place finish, and been pretty much the only man to battle Michael and beat him head to head. Alonso on the other hand has been up and down all year with a car that doesn't blow up on him. But hey, hopefully Trulli gets the respect he deserves at Toyota, and hopefully they can improve their woeful performances. Personally I think they've missed Alan McNish big time...his early contributions enabled them to have such a quick start.
Still no official word on JV doing the races for Renault. Fisichella is going to fill the other seat at Renault for '05, so JV was never in contention for it. The only competitive seat left open is at BAR, once the whole Button thing is dealt with. So who are they more likely to sign? DC, or his former running mate Mika? If Jaguar gets an increased budget from Ford that they're expecting, perhaps DC goes there while Mika heads to BAR.
Anyway, here's a page showing the confirmed and possible driver lineups for 2005...just a quick glance shows that this has been one of the silliest silly seasons ever.
http://www.newsonf1.com/2005/lineup.htm
Still no official word on JV doing the races for Renault. Fisichella is going to fill the other seat at Renault for '05, so JV was never in contention for it. The only competitive seat left open is at BAR, once the whole Button thing is dealt with. So who are they more likely to sign? DC, or his former running mate Mika? If Jaguar gets an increased budget from Ford that they're expecting, perhaps DC goes there while Mika heads to BAR.
Anyway, here's a page showing the confirmed and possible driver lineups for 2005...just a quick glance shows that this has been one of the silliest silly seasons ever.
http://www.newsonf1.com/2005/lineup.htm
The Bookerman
Member
Jacques Pulled the Best third lap yesterday behind Sato and Kimi.
GO JACQUES GO.
It's also official, Jacques ends the season with Renault.
Toyota ends up with two sore loosers: Ralf and Jarno.
And Jaguar gets out of F1... what an interesting week
oh and Minardi and Jordan are left without an engine.
GO JACQUES GO.
It's also official, Jacques ends the season with Renault.
Toyota ends up with two sore loosers: Ralf and Jarno.
And Jaguar gets out of F1... what an interesting week
oh and Minardi and Jordan are left without an engine.
scarybore
Member
DrM said:
Whoa, wasnt expecting that so soon but cant say im 100% surprised. Do you think there are any potential teams that could fill the space in such a short time? (I guess they couldnt be much worse than Minardi
)Its also nice to see Villeneuve back, he was one of the few people who had some charisma and doesnt mind taking on Schumacher but if anyone is going to beat Michael to a championship its going to be Kimi (the rest are just too inconsistant and are overrated, even when they have a great car).
I presume this means Ralf will be at the next race, how many laps till he knocks someone off then?
scarybore
Member
Koshiro said:
Yet sadly theres next to no point in attemping overtaking moves anymore, its all down to pit stops at the minute. Im not saying Montoya doesnt battle with Schumacher, but he is currently far too inconsistant in his races for me to view him as a champ. I also don't really like him for things he was meant to have said to Villeneuve when he wheel came off and killed a marshal.
Either way I think we are all agreed that there needs to be more overtaking going on, and that all teams other than Ferrari need to do some serious work if they want to appear as legitimate rivals to the championship next season. I think I will turn off next year if it turns into another Ferrari whitewash.
The Bookerman
Member
Koshiro said:
Hmmm villeneuve does.
You don't have to ask him twice.
When Villeneuve has a vendetta, he goes full throttle.
Shinobi said:
Well, so much for that. :lol Looks like DC could get fucked unless Mika's priced himself too high for BAR. Though he's been gone so long, he might be a long shot at best anyway. Much as I want a Mika return, I hope DC gets the seat...he'd be great for that team, and he's a class act. Just hope Jordan and Minardi can secure engines for next year.
Koshiro said:
Yeah, but Montoya isn't as consistently quick throughout a race as Kimi is. Montoya always seems to have one slow tire stint that costs him a podium place. Might not be his fault...might be the tires or the car, or the pit strategy by Williams. Or sometimes he makes a silly mistake, like that ill-fated pass at the bus stop at Spa. But it's been pretty clear the last two years that Kimi has no fear of Michael, or anyone else for that matter.
And as Bookerman said, Jacques Villenueve has pulled out some ballsy passes in his career. I saw some video of him in '97 a couple months ago, and was absolutely shocked at a couple of the passes he was able to do. Didn't look like a F1 race at all. :lol
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