Villeneuve seeking F1 return

Eurosport - Wed, 01 Jul 16:51:00 2009

Former F1 world champion Jacques Villeneuve has stressed that he is 'too young' to admit that his time in the top flight is over just yet.

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And the Canadian added that his passion for the sport "hasn't faded" in the slightest in the three years that he has been away.

Villeneuve left the grand prix paddock with his tail between his legs midway through the 2006 campaign, parting company with BMW-Sauber following a dispiriting run of results and rather too many accidents for his employer's liking.

The Bavarian manufacturer replaced him with then test driver Robert Kubica before that summer's Hungarian Grand Prix.

Since then, the French-Canadian - son of the late, legendary Ferrari hero Gilles Villeneuve - has made sporadic appearances here and there, most notably competing in the iconic Le Mans 24 Hours for Peugeot in 2007 and 2008, finishing in second place outright alongside Nicolas Minassian and Marc Gene on the latter occasion.

The 1997 title-winner has also turned his hand to NASCAR with reasonable success and made the odd start in the now defunct Middle East and Asia-based Speedcar Series.

Recently he has seen little action, however, having returned to his homeland to settle in Montreal with his wife and two young sons with only the odd foray in motocross, the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series and even karting to distract him.

Now, though he has hinted he wants to get back on-track at the very highest level.

The eleven-time grand prix-winner has already made clear his interest in occupying one of the two available berths at North Carolina-based newcomers USF1 in 2010 - suggesting that he would be a better candidate than any of the American drivers reputedly in the frame - and his appearance at the Monaco Grand Prix in May was rumoured to be not entirely a spectating one.

"I'm still too young to stop, especially since I want to battle it out on the track," the 38-year-old said. "My passion hasn't faded."

Crash.net / Eurosport

Comment 2 - 21 of 61

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  1. SILLY VILLY who would want an old, rubbish, ex grand­ prix driver? this sport is for the young ones accept­ Barricello of course but still Barricello far out­ classes Villeneuve 10000/1 STAY AT HOME VILLY!!!!!

    From mike, on Wed 1 Jul 3:49PM
  2. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Disneyland tickets and a ticket to see Michael Jackson­ in his glass coffin,wow...

    From e=mc squared, on Wed 1 Jul 3:43PM

  3. who next damon hill !
    well they were the real racers­ of their day but when villy went he went because the­ young guns overtook him so leave it and move on and­ enjoy your well earned wealth with your family or at­ least get on the pit wall like the kraut and earn money­ the easy way

    From rock, on Wed 1 Jul 3:40PM
  4. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Sit in the corner Jack and stick ya thumb up ya ****

    From hanniballookalike, on Wed 1 Jul 3:37PM
  5. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Martin Bashir killed Michael Jackson and nobody is­ complaining about that.

    From ,...,, on Wed 1 Jul 2:52PM
  6. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    He's lived off of his fathers legacy for long­ enough, time to move on......

    From optimus prime, on Wed 1 Jul 2:25PM

  7. anyone else have an overwhelming urge to draw a beard­ on that picture? Anyway with a good car JV would be­ competitve... look at niki lauda when he came back­ after retiring..on the other hand, like montoya some­ bad machinery will see him cut and run before the­ season out, and is sacrificing an up and comin talent­ for a blast from the past worth it?

    From Pablo from Bolivia, on Wed 1 Jul 2:21PM
  8. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    "but your a wizard harry!, i mean jack"

    From wayne.self, on Wed 1 Jul 2:15PM

  9. JV would be a great addition to USF1 for the first year­ at most ... just because he can bring the experience­ with him from his prior foray in the sport ... he has­ 11 wins and a championship under his belt ... Jacques,­ Danica, Speed .... Danica would be a back up of course­ only to be used after she physically trains and­ mentally prepares for the first year under Speed and­ Jacques .... All North Americans to keep the American­ team built of people from the continent ...

    From pensfan1982, on Wed 1 Jul 1:49PM
  10. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    I pray that no one gives this foul-mouthed, bitter and­ twisted A R S E H O L E a chance. He has nothing good­ to say about any fellow driver.

    From olawale, on Wed 1 Jul 1:23PM

  11. NASCAR, Indycar -- I grew up in the US, and I can't­ watch these so-called forms of racing. Sure, there is­ a lot more overtaking, but all they do is drive in a­ circle! :D JV is a tough competitor, and I've no­ doubt he wants the seat at USF1 (or USGP?). There is a­ certain logic in taking an experienced F1 driver for­ your first year -- JV, Speed, Anthony Davis. I think­ they'll go a different direction, though. Sorry­ Jaques. Maybe Campos Meta are interested...

    From Abbinator, on Wed 1 Jul 1:19PM

  12. mr Magoo lookalikee. when he was at bar he was like a­ brat . no way will any team want him.

    From William S, on Wed 1 Jul 1:11PM

  13. Of the coffin dodgers I'd put Coultard back in a­ car before Villeneuve or Barrichello :-)

    From ralph c, on Wed 1 Jul 1:05PM

  14. looks from the photo that he is to busy playing Harry­ Potters dad anyway

    From liam, on Wed 1 Jul 1:02PM

  15. I always liked JV back in the day, but I think he's­ just coping with some nostalgia. I'd much rather­ see him back in an Indycar, or maybe ALMS.

    From superjohn_rtp, on Wed 1 Jul 1:01PM
  16. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    i wonder if schumacca would come out of retirement

    From matt, on Wed 1 Jul 1:00PM

  17. id rather see the Villeneuve track back in F1 than him

    From liam, on Wed 1 Jul 12:55PM

  18. Not too young maybe
    but not good enough

    From mark, on Wed 1 Jul 12:39PM

  19. seems as though we have two sad old gits then rather­ than one...for christs sake grow up!!!!!!

    From KAE J, on Wed 1 Jul 12:39PM

  20. go back to INDYCAR Jacque, it is your best bet now, too­ many good and mre talented drivers around the paddock­ waiting for a chance to shine in todays cars. You were­ a great champion with great moves but like MOntoya you­ need to return to grass roots in the USA atyour age. ­ Mansell tried all of this at your age and failed­ miserably so what chance do you have?

    From abbietutty, on Wed 1 Jul 12:37PM
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