Villeneuve would 'love' a return to F1, God help us!

Just when I thought it might be safe out there again I find this online:

http://www.planetf1.com/story/0,18954,3213_3702699,00.html

Villeneuve would 'love' a return to F1
Tuesday 17th June 2008

Former World Champion Jacques Villeneuve admits he still harbours hope of returning to Formula One.


Villeneuve, who finished second in this weekend's Le Mans race, left F1 at the end of 2006 after spells with Williams, BAR, Renault, Sauber and BMW Sauber.


The Canadian says the lack of vacant race seats is the main reason why he hasn't made a return to Formula One.


"I'm open to the idea, certainly with the new technical situation," he told Autosprint.


"To be honest, I have no idea if it would be possible. I have never given up hope to re-enter F1. I have driven in some other series, but that was only because there were no vacant seats in F1.


"If the opportunity would occur, certainly with the new regulations, I would love to get back to work."

 

That's exactly the reason, it has nothing to do with being completely outdone by Kubica and Heidfeld

 

Haha. Mario Theissen never liked him, either.

 

Let him sit home, play his guitar and make his kids happy. I stopped off at his club in Montreal. Nothing like a lousey Bud Lite for $7.75. And they were all excited to get it, said it only happened once a year, Oh luck me.

 

I'd love to drive in F1 too. Doesn't mean it'll happen. There's been plenty of new blood coming in F1 and going out - I'm sure if someone seriously wanted him they would've gotten him.

 

Jacques is a guy who spent several years floundering around mid-pack for a pay check. He's too old, and has been out of F1 for too long already to even be considered. His WDC started losing weight during his BAR years.

 

Why all the negativity in this thread? Psychologists would point out the deep-seated jealousy.

 

Hey, I'll bet he could still outdrive Scott Speed

 

AT least Scott Speed hasn't gotten booted from his NASCAR ride yet.

 

He simply said he would love to return to F1, that doesn't mean necessarily means he wants to be a Champion again. Let's not forget he's a F1 World Champion, he deserves some credit. I'm sure he would do better than some of those drivers from Force India, etc.

 

I wouldn't be so sure. It's easy to pick on the guy who had a crappy car.

 

I like Jacques, and was rooting for him while watching Lemans. The fact is though, he isn't going to get a seat in F1 again, and the only benefit his later years in the sport produced, was a paycheck. It was sad to see a WDC reduced to a mid-pack, pay check chaser.

 

The fact is though, he could buy any ride he so chooses.

Now, would you buy a ride if you had the same resume?

 

Good point. I remember seeing him being interviewed during the Canadian GP and he was trying to drum up a sponser for his NASCAR ride, He was quoting what it cost and the $$$ was substantial. Its good to see he is still active in racing. Maybe one day Schumacher will try a ride at Le Mans, that would be a treat.

 

He drove well at LeMans, that may be the niche that will bring him a little glory again.

 

+1 What is wrong with some of you people? He won two World Champion titles in three years in two different series!!! How many drivers have accomplished that? And he almost won the F1 title in 1996!
1995 Cart Champ
1997 F1 world champ

JV may be done but you have to give the guy some credit, he was an incredible driver at one point!

 

A lot of F1 insiders don't give JV that much credit for his WDC (or Damon Hill for that matter) because of the dominance of the Williams during that time frame. The sentiment is that he (they) were enormously flattered by the car. Given the fall off in JV's performance after leaving Williams, even taking into account the weakness of the BAR at the time, his star dimmed very significantly over the latter stages of his career.

Had Senna survived to drive that Williams, there is no doubt he would have set records that Schumacher would still be chasing to this day.

 

If him driving in F1 again will stop him from releasing music I might be up for it.

 

I liked JV but he had his time in F1, won a WDC and made a lot of money. I can't believe he's still thinking of F1, it's time to move on... Le Mans is good, stick to that. We don't really need washed up drivers back in to F1 just for the sake of memories.

Along those lines David Coulthard and Rubens should retire too.

 

I don't think that 2nd at the 24hr of LeMans should be considered washed up. Endurance racing in an LMP car is not exactly where the race drivers go and wait to die.

 

He would be able to buy the ride, only if he was wanted by the team. I can't see any F1 teams wanting Jacques, especially with the young talented drivers currently in F1 and waiting in GP2. He's trying to raise the budget for a Nascar ride, but he isn't wanted there. He should stick to Lemans, where is wanted and appreciated.

 

Who the hell is Scott Speed?

































Seriously S. Speed isn't a hair on J.V.'s ass.

 

^^^^ +1

 

JV generally outpaced Heidfeld at BMW, and would have outpointed him, if it weren't for some unfortunate things that happened during his run. He was someone that hated the traction and stability programs, and was getting trounced by Massa until he convinced the team to recalibrate the traction control and engine mapping so lighten up the aids. He was on the pace after that. He would have done well in next year's regulations, he was always good on slick tires, without traction control. He is a bit too old to make a 3rd comeback, I think.

On another note, he has always been someone that could get people talking. I mean, this thread was created on a simple comment, and he's been out of f1 for almost 2 years now!

 

+1 Excellent post.