WEC
Jacques Villeneuve back in Endurance: “Aiming for the Triple Crown”
Jacques Villeneuve and Vanwall, an association that we didn't expect! © Paola Depalmas
The 11 last January, upon the announcement of the entry list for the World Endurance Championship (WEC), one name caught the public's attention: Jacques Villeneuve. The Canadian, world champion of F1 in 1997, will make a surprise return in Endurance this season with the Vanwall team. An unexpected comeback, fifteen years after his last participation in the 24 Hours of Le Mans and his one and only podium in Sarthe with Peugeot .
Although he never really hung up his gloves, with several experiences in rally-cross or in Nascar For more than a decade, Jacques Villeneuve has amazed everyone with this resounding return to Endurance. At 51, the ex-F1 driver will embark on a great Hypercar adventure. “My goal was to return to full-time professional racing and not settle for the few races I have done over the last 15 years, explained the Quebecer on the WEC website. This has always been one of my main goals: to aim for the Triple Crown. I heard from a friend that Vanwall was starting a team. The next day I flew to Barcelona to test the car. It was really a question of timing. »
“Now is the best time to get involved in the WEC”
Jacques Villeneuve's experience in motorsport will be a big plus for Vanwall, which has developed its own Hypercar with the Vandervell 680. The Canadian veteran is delighted to join the World Endurance Championship, which will write its finest hours in the coming months with the massive return of historic brands. “I think this is the best time to get involved in WEC, the championship is becoming more and more important. With the arrival of all the manufacturers, it is truly becoming a world championship. I am excited for the upcoming season. »
Associated with Esteban Guerrieri and Tom Dillmann at Vanwall, Jacques Villeneuve will have to readjust to the constraints of Endurance with, obviously, sharing the mount between the three drivers. “I have always been extremely specific about the setup of a car and how I like to drive it, underlined the former Peugeot driver. For me it's a matter of fine tuning and that's not something you can do when you share the car with two other drivers because each driver has a specific way of driving - you have to compromise and you have to decide as a group. You have to compromise and decide as a group. »
“There is certainly potential for the car to be competitive”
The 1 F1997 world champion had his first experience aboard the Vandervell 680 last December, in Barcelona. A first test which convinced the Canadian to take up the challenge of the Hypercar in the WEC. Jacques Villeneuve spoke about his sensations aboard the ByKolles mount. “It was fun to drive. It's a heavy and fast car, admits the Quebecer. It wasn't easy to drive, but the car was still in its infancy. So there was still a lot to do in terms of balance and the car was a bit surprising at times, because it surprised you, which could make it difficult for a six or eight hour race. There is certainly potential for the car to be competitive. What you ultimately want is to have a car that is easy to drive and doesn't break down. »
Jacques Villeneuve will also have the opportunity to take his revenge at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, having remained in a bitter 2nd place in 2008 with Peugeot. Will he become the second driver in history to win the Triple Crown after Graham Hill? Answer next June!
ALSO READ > Vanwall's participation in the WEC threatened?
Dorian Grangier
A young journalist nostalgic for the motorsport of yesteryear. Raised on the exploits of Sébastien Loeb and Fernando Alonso.
Read also
Comments
*The space reserved for logged in users. Please connect to be able to respond or post a comment!
2 Comment (s)
To write a comment
Xa Collet
21/02/2023 at 12:26 a.m.
Monaco, indy500 and le mans. It was the definition of the Triple Crown. It seems that there are variations
Lionel Smet
20/02/2023 at 08:43 a.m.
The “Triple Crown” means winning the three most prestigious events in motorsport. Namely, the Monaco Grand Prix, the Indianapolis 500 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Jacques Villeneuve having never won the Monaco GP during his F1 career, he will not be able to become the 2nd driver in history to win the Triple Crown. Right now there are only 2 drivers who could do it...Juan Pablo Montoya if he wins the 24 Hours of Le Mans and Fernando Alonso if he wins the Indianapolis 500.