motor

chipanggo · 09-14-2004, 10:33 PM

Originally Posted by ingko

Well, looks like Jacques is testing for Renault on Wed and Thurs. He apparently had a seat fitting on Tuesday according to F1-live. Can't wait to hear how he does.

The Mild Seven Renault F1 Team this evening announced that French- Canadian Jacques Villeneuve will test for the team at Silverstone on Wednesday and Thursday.

Villeneuve conducted a seat-fitting at the team's Enstone base on Tuesday evening, and will begin acclimatising himself to the Renault R24 tomorrow at the Northamptonshire circuit.

Mild Seven Renault F1 Team Managing Director Flavio Briatore commented:

"We have reached an agreement for Jacques to test for the team at Silverstone on Wednesday and Thursday. This test might lead to Jacques joining the team for the final three races of the season beginning next week at the Chinese Grand Prix."

we just might see jv earlier than expected. if ever he does drive for renault for the remaining races this year, he still does not have a regular race seat for next season. renault has got alonso and fisi already.

biff19_a · 09-15-2004, 12:48 AM

my money is on Renault.. for the final races... This is a test.. he must prove himself to be the driver that he once was. Then next year..Sauber.. BAR is out of the frame as there is too much bad blood between them.. Its like a marriage.. very hard to go back to the wife after all the fights and bitter divorce

Wutputt · 09-15-2004, 09:15 AM

Well it's now officially confirmed: Jacques Villeneuve has signed a two year contract with Sauber.

Originally Posted by Sauber Petronas website

SAUBER PETRONAS has signed Jacques Villeneuve as a new driver from the 2005 season onwards. The 33-year-old Canadian entered into a two-year contract, which will come into effect on November 1, 2004. Jacques Villeneuve will be the team mate of Felipe Massa who will continue to drive for SAUBER PETRONAS next year.

Expressing his enthusiasm about signing Jacques Villeneuve, Team Principal Peter Sauber said: "I have to admit that signing a former World Champion is something truely special for me. However, I want to make it clear that this was not the decisive factor. When I was talking to Jacques, I could feel that he is absolutely keen and committed to return to Formula One. He was always a great fighter and I am convinced that together we can achieve a lot. I fully realise that signing a former World Champion is also an obligation for the team to provide him with a car that meets his expectations. SAUBER PETRONAS has made considerable progress this year, and I am confident that we are ready to tackle this challenge."

Jacques Villeneuve is also optimistic: "I am extremely excited to be back in Formula One with the SAUBER PETRONAS Team, and I appreciate the confidence everybody is showing in me. It is my goal to work with Peter and his team to bring them forward in the championship during the next two seasons. In my recent visit to Sauber I have been extremely impressed by the professionalism which is apparent throughout the factory. I am looking forward to seeing the results that will be developed by the state-of-the-art wind tunnel."

Jacques Villeneuve entered Formula One in 1996 and won a total of eleven races. He was World Champion in 1997.

biff19_a · 09-15-2004, 09:59 AM

i guess hes desprite to get back in as i beleive he said that he had offers before he left to stay in F1 with a team but he didnt take it as he only wanted to sign with teams that had a chance of winning...and as we know saubers record of wins in F1..huh none i beleive. You had a better chance with Renault Jacques

5vz-fe · 09-15-2004, 03:02 PM

Doesn't look too quick on his first day of return.

Silverstone - 15/09/2004
1. K. Raikkonen - McLaren-Mercedes - 1'16"150 - 60 laps
2. T. Sato BAR-Honda - 1'17"128 - 86 laps
3. P. de la Rosa McLaren-Mercedes - 1'17"207 - 94 laps
4. O. Panis - Toyota - 1'17"269 - 101 laps
5. J. Button - BAR-Honda - 1'17"597 - 103 laps
6. R. Zonta - Toyota - 1'17"651 - 132 laps
7. M. Gene - Williams-BMW - 1'17"719 - 81 laps
8. F. Alonso - Renault - 1'17"794 - 37 laps
9. R. Schumacher - Williams-BMW - 1'18"383 - 37 laps
10. J. Villeneuve - Renault - 1'18"779 - 70 laps

Hope he will fare better tomorrow.

chipanggo · 09-16-2004, 02:07 AM

and so the villeneuve saga continues. i believe he'll get bearings back and have a better test tomorrow. anyway, good luck to him on his test and on his new career at sauber.

HoboPie · 09-16-2004, 02:55 PM

Much better:

Times:
01 Sato BAR 1:17:398 81 laps
02 Räikkönen McLaren 1:17:410 94 laps
03 Villeneuve Renault 1:17:434 66 laps
04 Schumacher Williams 1:17:725 55 laps
05 Trulli Toyota 1:17:913 83 laps
06 Davidson BAR 1:17:967 69 laps
07 de la Rosa McLaren 1:18:405 93 laps
08 Montagny Renault 1:19:136 89 laps
09 Briscoe Toyota 1:19:152 84 laps
10 Bernoldi BAR 1:21:351 11 laps

5vz-fe · 09-16-2004, 03:56 PM

not bad not bad...........Damn, I really hope Villeneuve drive for Renault at China

robruf · 09-16-2004, 03:58 PM

Holy crap, he has improved and he is still one of the favourites to place your money on, it would be great if he made a podium with only 3 races this year, never forget, he took on Micheal and beat him, the only other drivers that can do that was Mika, and now Kimi. He is rested and ready, now if only he can complete the Canadian GP, I will be excited, as the last 5 times there, he didn't finish.

chipanggo · 09-16-2004, 09:55 PM

good news to all the jacques villeneuve fans in the house, i just read over at f1racing.net that flavio briatore has confirmed jacques villeneuve will be racing the remaining grands prix of the season in a renault.

ae86_16v · 09-17-2004, 02:23 AM

Yeah, that is pretty exciting stuff (lap times that is).

I am still surprise that he signed with a back of the grid team, at best, mid-grid.

5vz-fe · 09-17-2004, 02:27 AM

YES!!!! Thank you for bring the good news.....Can't wait to see the China GP
I think it will seriously spike things up if he gets to the podium

Wutputt · 09-17-2004, 06:51 AM

There is a rumour Villeneuve will only race for Renault in China, after then he will switch places with Fisichella. So he will drive the last 2 races with Sauber and Fisichella will drive them with Renault.

FerrariKiller · 09-17-2004, 10:25 PM

I can't wait for China, my favorite driver on my favorite team. Next year I will have switch to Sauber. It's a good thing I like rooting for the underdog. But for now I think Renault and Jacques are a perfect match.