MONACO, 20 May 2004 — Jacques Villeneuve was backed here yesterday to return to Formula One next year by two of Formula One’s most experienced drivers because they believe he would liven up the sport’s image.
Former world champion Villeneuve quit the sport dramatically before the season-ending Japanese Grand Prix last year after claiming to be disgusted by the way he had been treated by his BAR-Honda team.
The outspoken Canadian has been in talks with Williams and rumors have suggested he could make a comeback as a replacement for either Juan Pablo Montoya or Ralf Schumacher at the end of the year.
And David Coulthard, who is himself seeking a drive next season after Montoya signed to join McLaren in 2005, said: “I think it would be interesting for the sport for him to be back if he was able to find a spot.
“As well as him being a friend I think he is a character for Formula One because he expresses his views without always giving full consideration to the consequences of how that may endear him to the team and sponsors.
“But he is entertaining both out of the car and in the car because if you tell him that a corner is almost flat then he is the guy who is going to try to take it flat.
“Even if it means shunting it the other side of it, he will come with the data and say ‘hey, I may have crashed and destroyed the car, but I was flat-out’. That is an interesting quality that he has!”
Villeneuve won his world title in 1997, with Williams-Renault, but moved to BAR in 2000 following two disappointing seasons when the team struggled with second-rate engines.
He and his manager Craig Pollock, who helped to set up the team, had hoped to build BAR into a race-winning outfit but they failed to score a point in their first year and enjoyed limited subsequent success.
Pollock was ousted by current team principal David Richards at the start of 2002 and Villeneuve was comprehensively outpaced by team newcomer Jenson Button in his last year with the team last season. Villeneuve has been criticized for his lack of team spirit but Panis, 37, said: “I am still a good friend with Jacques. We worked together for two years (at BAR) and I don’t have any problem with him.
“One of Jacques’ qualities is that he respects people who are working really hard and this is what I did for two years with BAR, and we still have a good relationship.
“If he’s coming back, I’d welcome it because I’m sure he’s still quick, still motivated but now he also needs to find a good place to prove that he’s still good. If he starts with a strong team it would be a big help for him.”
Williams look set to be searching for an all-new driver line-up next year with Montoya confirmed to join McLaren and Schumacher tipped to move to German rivals Toyota next season. They have already tested IRL driver Scott Dixon of New Zealand while Jaguar’s Australian driver Mark Webber is high on their list if he can be released from his current contract.
