2738 replies to this topic

[Mox]

Renault testing JV. If he does good, he'll be shipped off to Sauber so that Fisico can move to Renault right away.

[wim_jtd]

Maybe it means much more than we can think of :
Michael will decide to stop after this year (Brawn hinting last weekend that Rubinho is a worthy successor) Alonso will move to Ferrari, leaving Renault with the need to fill the place next to Fisichella. Briatore has unfortunately lost Webber to Williams, so he decides to bring in Villeneuve.

[K-One]

Originally posted by Racer Joe
Bernie must have soiled his pants in ecstasy upon hearing that JV is likely to be driving for Renault in the next GP - especially for the inaugural Chinese GP.

Some reports say that Montagny was promised on Monday that he will drive at China. However, Bernie was somehow involved that JV got the seat as Briatore doesn't value highly Franck. Fisi was also an option, but Sauber didn't want to let him go.

[themark]

Originally posted by baddog


Read some stuff yesterday or so about many highups at BAT being not exactly Jacques fans. Not sure of the provenence of that but I wouldnt be banking on them to place him.

Shaun

Read where? Web, Print, thin air?

[themark]

Originally posted by wim_jtd
Maybe it means much more than we can think of :
Michael will decide to stop after this year (Brawn hinting last weekend that Rubinho is a worthy successor) Alonso will move to Ferrari, leaving Renault with the need to fill the place next to Fisichella. Briatore has unfortunately lost Webber to Williams, so he decides to bring in Villeneuve.

Why would Ferrari want Alonso when they could have Villeneuve? Can you imagine the press (read:free publicity ) that would generate? Run the car with Number 27 on it and watch fans the world over go nuts, maybe even a few Tifosi. Do you really think Villeneuve would not win as many races as Alonso in that car? And why would Renault roll over and cough him up anyways?

[baddog]

Originally posted by themark


Read where? Web, Print, thin air?

I am 90% certain it was F1 racing mag but I cant check it till tomorrow because I left the mag at work. Anyway it was definitely one of those 'sources at BAT say' so who knows? but what it highlighted to me is I dont know what is the basis for what seems to be an automatic assumption that BAT never wanted JV to leave and will always want him back?

Shaun

[angst]

Originally posted by K-One


Some reports say that Montagny was promised on Monday that he will drive at China. However, Bernie was somehow involved that JV got the seat as Briatore doesn't value highly Franck. Fisi was also an option, but Sauber didn't want to let him go.

I was thinking about Montagny. If he's contracted as Renault's test driver, is he also contracted as a replacement race driver?

Any way, good on Villeneuve. It'll be good to see him back, providing he impresses in these tests - I have no doubt he will.

[doggy]

i'm excited about this development wish him the best, go for it JV ! hopefully he has the car that allows him to kick ass.

good for trulli too. it's not worth continuing, too much bad blood. i couldn't have imagined an ugly ending. it's just 4-5 months ago when he and his team were working so well.

[Henri Greuter]

Originally posted by themark


Why would Ferrari want Alonso when they could have Villeneuve? Can you imagine the press (read:free publicity ) that would generate? Run the car with Number 27 on it and watch fans the world over go nuts, maybe even a few Tifosi.

First of all, there ain't enough cars in F1 nowadays to justify the use of #27
Secondly, Jacques is no Gilles and to compare them as drivers is difficult if not impossible due to a different approach of driving during their highlight periods.
I would give about everything to have had the pleasure of seeing Gilles race on for many more years than he eventually did that I will ever do for Jacques to make his come back.
like father like son, not in this case for me.

to answer the question:
Age:
JVi is a bit older already than Alonso and properly tutored any team that has Alonso right now may well can gain from him over a longer period of time that from Jacques, fate permitting of course.

Besides that: as long as Ferrari has the Todt-Brawn-Byrne-Schuey team, no way JVi will fit into that team properly. MS needs a secondary driver next to him to perform at his best, not a rival who will do about everything he can to show he is better than Schuey, even it he is Schuey's teammate.
Teaming MS with JVi is asking for situations like we sat at Williams too often when they hired teammates that didn't respect and mistrusted another. A rivalry that in the end will yield Ferrqri publicity but no results and we all know that results are holy to them and makes them do things that are dusapporved by many. It is efficient however.
Include JVi at Ferrari with MS still around, then we would see a second intra-team-war: Kimi vs JPM next year will be the other.

JVi at Ferrari, a dream for some, and it is. Nightmares are also dreams remember...



Henri Greuter

[pluto]

From what I have seen Briatore "hates" Villeneuve. So I think that JV's name has been called from someone above him. I don't think that Flavio would be happy if his "enemy" Jacques outperformes his beloved and "creature", money maker (as was MSC before), Alonso. With Flavio funny things happens and I don't think that Trulli has forgot how to drive... Let's hope it will not end to be a trap for Villeneuve.

[Paco]

Originally posted by pluto
From what I have seen Briatore "hates" Villeneuve. So I think that JV's name has been called from someone above him. I don't think that Flavio would be happy if his "enemy" Jacques outperformes his beloved and "creature", money maker (as was MSC before), Alonso. With Flavio funny things happens and I don't think that Trulli has forgot how to drive... Let's hope it will not end to be a trap for Villeneuve.

Flavio doesn't hate Villeneuve. Quite the contrary.

Flavio was definitely miffed a couple of years back when Jacques didn't sign with Renault but I'm sure that is water under the bridge now. Other media highlights are taken way of context and I recall reading where he stated as much. He definitely holds JV in pretty high regard.

Plus, Flavio could care less if Jacques was to beat Fernando. All Flavio wants is to get closer and closer to the championship. He believes Fernando is the man, for now. If that was change, he take it right in stride.

[Paco]

Sure looks like Flavio has a problem with Jacques eh ..

http://images.f1raci...large/35066.jpg
http://images.f1raci...large/35072.jpg

[gordon]

Just thinking about this and I've realised that there are going to be a lot of people hoping JV falls flat on his face.

BAR, BAT, Honda and Richards obviously after already being dragged through the mud by Button have the most face to lose. Big time. If they have any face left to lose that is They will already be quaking at the thought of more negative publicity coming their way. The storm clouds are truly gathering over Brackley.

Williams, FW, PH or SM whomever decided Villeneuve was not required even for a fraction of what it is going to cost for Button not including the litigation expenses and the possibility of the CRB ruling against them which will require a buy out I reckon in the region of £10 million.

Toyota: who have strangely decided to hire the most inconsistent drivers on the grid for sums that neither deserve.

Jaguar: who have bizarrely shown no interest in an ex-WDC even at a cut rate price.

Alonso & Trulli: If JV performs then both will both look very poor indeed.

And Peter Sauber comes out trumps if has Villeneuve committed to his team for next year.

Now I don't expect much more than JV performing on a similar level to Fernando so all of this may mean very little. But you can be sure a lot of these team bosses will not want to explain to their paymasters and sponsers why they passed up on this opportunity.

[Taxi]

JV fans are forgeting that Alonso may just EAT him! I Think Fernando wants to prove he can beat anyone... being 0,8s faster than Villnenuve will rate him very much... Alonso is the man who will come out better of the situation.

As for Trulli this decision proves that driving a fast lap is not enough when you want to be world Champion. He realy underperformed this past races.

Bring China. When is it by the way?

[djellison]

Originally posted by gordon
There is no way this is going to happen. First, there is simply not enough time to get JV up to speed in a car he knows absolutely nothing about. If Briatore has conceded 2nd place to BAR then it might be an acceptable PR stunt but the race is way to tight to put a driver, even a driver like Villeneuve, in a new car and team and expect him to score valuable points. No way.

MUWHAHAAA HAAAH AAH AAHAAAAAAA

[gordon]

Originally posted by djellison


MUWHAHAAA HAAAH AAH AAHAAAAAAA

Hey I'm a JV fan, and in truth I'll stick by what I said there is no way I thought this was going to happen. I'm still in dreamland.

[Vilenova]

Latest is that Trulli is supposed to race for his new team in China. Rumor or...?

link

[windsok]

Flavio comfirms that JV WILL race.

http://www.atlasf1.c.../id/14424/.html

"If Jacques wants to carry on in F1 in 2005, now he has three races with us with which to push forward, while helping us with the Constructors' Championship," Briatore added. "I've seen him full of enthusiasm, fit, and resolute. I think we'll see him at the top level straight away."

[Al.]

Originally posted by Vilenova
Latest is that Trulli is supposed to race for his new team in China. Rumor or...?

link

I read that but only the headline implies that, not the article. Trulli say's he can start with his new team earlier than expected but that isn't the same as racing in China.

[Dalton007]

Trulli was seen at a charity event with Dave Richards and Jenson; there's a suggestion that Trulli may have delibrately hurt Renault's 2nd place in the WCC. I don't believe he would do that...but you just don't know.

[kenjafield]

"In Formula 1 anything can happen, and usually does" - Murray Walker.

Welcome Back Jacques!

[Tomecek]

Originally posted by Tomecek
He goes to Toyota and we will know that yet this week

http://www.atlasf1.c.../id/14426/.html

[renaultFan]

Originally posted by gordon
From F1racing.net

'After his installation lap Villeneuve returned to the cockpit just before 11am local time and has completed around twenty laps since then. He is getting up to speed and lapping in the low 1m20s which is an encouraging pace for his first few laps back behind the wheel after almost a year away.

Just before lunch team boss Flavio Briatore arrived at the circuit to watch Villeneuve's progress.'

Very Impressive.

Hes been out of an F1 car for nearly a year, jumps back in a totally new and very different car and is lapping pretty damn good. Alonso managed a 1:19.739 yesterday, of course we don't know what fuel loads, conditions etc... but to me its pretty good.

[UPRC]

If Alonso can manage a 1:19.739 in the car he has been driving all year, and Villeneuve is down to a low 1:20.??? then I think Alonso better look out.


For some reason, I think that some people have forgotten that Jacques really is a WDC. I think there will be some close races at Renault!

[StephenJK]

I suppose like many others, I've been following this thread since the beginning without participating. As a long-time Jacques Villeneuve fan, I couldn't be happier for the guy.

It's interesting that a lot of the posts are questioning whether he's ready for a return to the F1 racing world, some of us feel that he never really left.

[UPRC]

Originally posted by StephenJK
It's interesting that a lot of the posts are questioning whether he's ready for a return to the F1 racing world, some of us feel that he never really left.

Like I said in my previous post, some people seem to forget that the guy is a world champion. Sure, he is definitely no Michael Schumacher, but Villeneuve has the motivation and determination to be a great driver until his career finally bites the dust.

[UPRC]

Wow.. First Fisichella joins the team and now Villeneuve. They sure are getting their fare share of good drivers these days..

I read that the team is convinced that their next year package will be competitive. I hope it is true..

[#99]

now that he is confirmed, will that mark the beginning of the end of this thread???

[Balzz]

So much real JV news these 24 hours...my head is spinning.

[Henrik B]

A few hundred posts ago I said "All teambosses except maybe Peter Sauber are idiots". Well, either I'm right or he's made his first truly idiotic move...

Good for Jaques, good for Formula one and where is steeng?

[K-One]

2 days ago any person thinking that JV would drive for Renault rest of the season and next year at Sauber would have needed serious medical treatment. Today both true, amazing. At least Sauber is wise enough to put JV on heavy bonus per points salary.

[Mox]

Originally posted by Mox
Renault testing JV. If he does good, he'll be shipped off to Sauber so that Fisico can move to Renault right away.

I see this coming closer.

[davegp3]

Originally posted by UPRC


Yeah. All has beens are less than half a second of their teammate when they return to the cockpit after a year to a new team, new people, new tires, etc.

Not every WDC is a Damon Hill.

The only relevant comparison will be next GP in China. Testing times are irrelevant. You don't know nothing about fuel loads, tyre compounds etc.

[indian]

Originally posted by JVattack
Oh and I haven't confirmed this one but after a few laps in JV goes 1. 19.8 after a year off and just a few lap...what do you say to that guys? Not bad considering in 59 laps FA went 1.19.725 yesterday.

How fast has FA gone today? Surely, that would be a more relevant comparison.

[kodandaram]

yeah confirmed that JV did a 1:19.8 since they put it on the pit board.

Well its still early days . No idea about what programme he is running. But a good start. Conditions are cooler too. So we will see at the end of the day.



JV in a sauber is bitter sweet for me. I am happy to see him back but disappointed that BAR passed him AGAIN. Screw DR and BAR . I hope JV gives them the ROYAL finger at China , Japan and Brazil. They deserve that .....and they will lose P2 in WCC. Damned idoits.

As for 2005 , with a ferrari engine and a decent chassis (but still 2nd hand tyres from BS) JV will be in upper mid-field I guess. So not yet at the front. But I have to accept it . Better than not to see him race.

[caanan]

Wow, busy couple of days for JV - Welcome Back. The Sauber seat is at least a little bit better than the Minardi seat that Peter Windsor had eluded to as the only one being available to JV recently. While I would like to see Jacques at the sharper end of the grid, it is still great that he got a foot back in F1 and I actually like Sauber, so it's better than nothing. Having watched this season, I can attest that F1 is a better place with Jacques in it. I respect his proactive approach in obtaining a seat to the point of even making difficult calls to BAR/Richards. It's a good score for Sauber and hopefully their car will be decent next year. Continued committment from Ferrari, as well at Sauber reverting back to their own gearboxes, should provide an adequate car for Jacques next year... I guess we'll have to see. A Villeneuve back in a Ferrari powered car

[JVattack]

Originally posted by kodandaram
yeah confirmed that JV did a 1:19.8 since they put it on the pit board.

Well its still early days . No idea about what programme he is running. But a good start. Conditions are cooler too. So we will see at the end of the day.



JV in a sauber is bitter sweet for me. I am happy to see him back but disappointed that BAR passed him AGAIN. Screw DR and BAR . I hope JV gives them the ROYAL finger at China , Japan and Brazil. They deserve that .....and they will lose P2 in WCC. Damned idoits.

As for 2005 , with a ferrari engine and a decent chassis (but still 2nd hand tyres from BS) JV will be in upper mid-field I guess. So not yet at the front. But I have to accept it . Better than not to see him race.

I feel the same way. However I can still hold out hope that JV may still have a go with Ferrari when MS retires. Hell did you think he would test for Renault?

[Vilenova]

I don't care when Alonzo did his time, I am astounded that Villeneuve can spark it up after such a long layoff. I thought he would do well but would take some more more time. :yawn:

[bira]

With Villeneuve's short term and longer term future now clear and confirmed, this thread is closing.

There is a thread about Villeneuve's Renault test;
There is a thread about Villeneuve versus Alonso;
There is a thread about Villeneuve at Sauber.

Thanks all