Villeneuve and Durango aim for F1

It was an indiscretion, it is now clear: Jacques Villeneuve is teaming up with Durango in order to vie for the place of thirteenth team in the 2011 Formula 1 field.

Published on 17/07/2010 à 15:46

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Jacques Villeneuve, who wishes to return to Formula 1 for several months, will he achieve his goals? At the start of the season, the Canadian was one of the drivers chosen by Stefan GP in its F1 project. But the Serbian team did not obtain the right to take part in the 2010 World Championship, due to the tight timing.

This time, it is with Durango that Villeneuve wants to return. More involved in the project, the 1997 World Champion would give his name to the team, which would be called Villeneuve Racing. If everything is not yet fixed, Durango confirms that the project is underway.

Ivone Pinton, boss of Durango, confirms to 422race.com that the project, if it has to be done, will be done with Villeneuve. “ Jacques is young, dynamic, full of enthusiasm. For Durango, it is an honor and a privilege to work with him: he is the son of a legend while being a former World Champion ", he says.

Durango, which had submitted a file to the FIA for many weeks, thus gives itself a famous name which brings more weight to its candidacy. But there are still details to be worked out. “ We do not know where the car will be built but the team's headquarters will be located here, in Veneto. (Italy, near Venice). »

If Jacques Villeneuve got involved in the project, it was first and foremost to get back behind the wheel of an F1 car. But the Durango boss sees further. “ In addition to being a driver, I am sure that he will be able to make a useful contribution to the team. I think he is preparing for the work he will do after hanging up his helmet », Estimates Pinton.

If, thanks to the Villeneuve name, the Durango project gains credibility, this is not a criterion which should influence the choice of the thirteenth team. After the failure of USF1 and the difficulties encountered by Manor (Virgin) and Campos (HRT) this year, the FIA will seek to select the strongest team, financially and technically. In this regard, a team like Epsilon Euskadi seems to have a head start on Durango and Villeneuve.