LONDON, 27 November 2004 — Canadian Jacques Villeneuve made a trouble-free debut with his new Sauber Formula One team yesterday.
“My first day...went really well,” said the 1997 world champion in a team statement after clocking the day’s third fastest time at Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya.
“I had spent enough time in the factory for the seat fitting, so I felt immediately comfortable in the car. I did a lot of laps today and the times were good,” he added.
“In addition, the car ran absolutely reliably, we had no technical problems whatsoever. So it was really a very productive first day.”
Villeneuve, 33, has signed a two-year deal with the Swiss-based team. He made his race comeback with Renault in the last three grands prix of this year after being dropped by BAR in 2003. Toyota’s Brazilian test driver Ricardo Zonta was fastest on the last day of testing in Barcelona this year, ahead of compatriot Antonio Pizzonia in a Williams.
