Jacques Villeneuve remains on the lookout

Jacques Villeneuve had wanted, for several months, to make his return to Formula 1. Several avenues were possible (Lotus, Renault) mais le Canadien n?a pu trouver refuge dans l?une des écuries ayant son billet d?entrée en Formule 1. C?est finalement Stefan GP, écurie qui a récupéré les monoplaces développées par Toyota, qui se trouvait être la meilleure solution. Mais l?écurie serbe n?a finalement pas obtenu son ticket d?entrée (see elsewhere) for the 2010 Formula 1 season.

Disappointed but not surprised, Jacques Villeneuve wants to be pragmatic. The 1997 World Champion knew that the Stefan GP option was only possible, as the team had no place on the grid. “ Of course I would have liked it to work, especially since I get along very well with the people on the team., recognizes Villeneuve at Rue Frontenac. On the other hand, this is not a huge surprise as the deadline between now and the start of the season would have been very tight. »

However, Villeneuve regrets that the Stefan GP project did not go to the end. The Serbian team could count on the single-seaters developed by Toyota, a team which last year had one of the biggest budgets in Formula 1. From then on, the Stefan-01, heir to the TF110, was able to do well. good performance. “ It gave me the impression of a car that was well born and developed according to the rules of the art., confirms Villeneuve. Furthermore, I see that Mr. Stefanovic and his team are serious people, who understand engineering work. The basis is there but, let's face it, the schedule was very tight. »

But the Quebecer is far from being dejected since, for several weeks, he has been repeating that his goal is to be ready at any time of the season, in the event that a team is dissatisfied with one of its young drivers. Jacques Villeneuve is therefore on the lookout for any poor performance, particularly among F1 rookies, such as Vitaly Petrov (Renault F1 Team), Lucas di Grassi (Virgin Racing) or Karun Chandhok (Hispania Racing Team).

“I've been saying since the holidays that my priority is to be ready in case one of the new drivers isn't fast enough for his bosses' liking or one of the paying drivers can't bring in all the promised budget, adds Villeneuve to Rue Frontenac. If there is something positive in all of this, it is that I was forced to step up my preparation with Erwin (Göllner, his physio). I suffered torture but I feel better than I have in a long time. »

On the long waiting list of drivers wanting a seat in Formula 1, Jacques Villeneuve is on the lookout, in search of a steering wheel that no other driver will be able to master.