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[digitaleye]

Thought it deserved a new thread.

Honestly though, doe Jacques have anything left in the tank. If Bourdais is "too old" at 30 what the heck is a nearly 40 JV going to do? Is there nobody else to drive these cars?

http://www.motorsport.com/news/article. ... 7675&FS=F1

[McLaren Fan]

Villeneuve was never good enough for Formula One. Okay, he could be fast on some occasions (usually on circuits he liked), but he was certainly not able to produce the goods consistently. USF1, not being able to find an American driver good enough or willing to go to Formula One, are now really scraping the bottom of the barrel by going for a washed up Canadian.

[Jamie]

Villeneuve was never good enough for Formula One. Okay, he could be fast on some occasions (usually on circuits he liked), but he was certainly not able to produce the goods consistently. USF1, not being able to find an American driver good enough or willing to go to Formula One, are now really scraping the bottom of the barrel by going for a washed up Canadian.

I agree. I never thought he was "Great" so to be honest i just thin he's good for sponsors in which is what B-A-R said. He is just good with the sponsors? So i don't care for him. He will just get laughed at on the first race when he can't even get past Fisichella......

[myownalias]

Maybe USF1 are going for experience over speed (not the driver) to help develop the car in the teams initial years, much like Brawn holding onto Barrichello this year. And you never know Jacques may surprise many since the return of slicks; the last time the Canadian was quick in a F1 car.

[Hexagram]

Well, I really don't know what to make of that. USF1 are taking a huge gamble signing him...

[The Oz]

If his 1st Driver the team will be screwed. Sure he won an F1 Championship but he was only good for 1 or 2 years. This is a hugemistake for USF1

[Denthúl]

If his 1st Driver the team will be screwed. Sure he won an F1 Championship but he was only good for 1 or 2 years. This is a hugemistake for USF1

I'm still interested to see what happens. >.<

[EwanM]

The fella has had more comebacks than Sylvester Stallone...

[Hexagram]

If his 1st Driver the team will be screwed. Sure he won an F1 Championship but he was only good for 1 or 2 years. This is a hugemistake for USF1

I'm still interested to see what happens. >.<

So am I. Would be insane if he was competitive.

[digitaleye]

Well, I really don't know what to make of that. USF1 are taking a huge gamble signing him...

I have to agree, it must have to do with some sort of sponsorship deal or $$$ that he's bringing. I really think someone like Bourdais or Anthony Davidson would be a better choice from the driving standpoint. Not to bag on Jacques, I like him well enough but I'm just not convinced he's up to it. Also, I had totally forgotten that he was set to race in the V8 supercar series this year. Now that would have been interesting, it also may have told us whether he was up to racing full time in a hard-core series.

[phiend]

I'd prefer to see some younger drivers for USF1. You could almost definitely sign them for less. Its a gamble for sure, but you could end up winning big. At 38, even if he is successful, how long will be to continue that success? An experienced reserve driver that could still test the car and updates as well as help guide the kids would be ideal, if one could be found who was interested in being involved in such a situation.

[Hexagram]

Villeneuve is now denying it.

http://en.f1-live.com/f1/en/headlines/n ... 2452.shtml

[NateDawg80126]

I had no idea Villeneuve was even interested in getting back in a car, but as others have said, hes old and I expect he will be off the pace a bit. However it has been rumored that USGPE was considering a older, more experienced driver to help develop the car, I think its a smart move to go for an experienced driver.

He won the championship in 1997, he has the talent, or should I say "had" the talent... I'm sorry but 38 is just too old to consider an F1 comeback, regardless of your history. I also think it should be said that this is far from definitive, this article says that he is close to a deal with USGPE, but also says: Villeneuve did not refer specifically to USF1 but admitted to the magazine: "It is true, I will return to Formula One." Maybe there is something I am missing here but that article provided absolutely nothing that would suggest that USF1 is interested in him, lets not forget that there are two other teams joining the grid, both are likely more desperate for drivers than USGPE... I'm not convinced that this deal is actually going to happen.

Edit: In light of the post above, it seems I was right.

[racechick]

Well thats USF1 stuffed.

[EwanM]

Villeneuve denies USF1 deal is imminent

22/07/09 23:01
http://en.f1-live.com/f1/en/headlines/n ... 2452.shtml

On Wednesday we reported, based on a story published by Sport Bild, that 1997 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve was on the verge of signing with the USF1 team for a full-time race seat starting next season.

A few hours later Villeneuve denied the original German report, stating to Auto123.com: "It is not true at all."

"I have not been interviewed by someone from that magazine. The people from the USF1 team have not contacted me," he insisted, adding that he had only spoken briefly to one of the team's directors, Peter Windsor.

"Jacques is absolutely correct," Windsor clarified to the same source. "We did chat briefly in Monaco and since then have not had a chance to talk again."

USF1 is looking into hiring a pair of American racers next year, but Windsor acknowledged that bringing aboard a driver with previous knowledge of Formula One might also become a factor.

"We are considering the possibility of running an experienced driver in 2010," he said. "We will make a decision in due course."

Villeneuve is serious about returning to the F1 grid, as the sweeping changes to the regulations which came into effect this year – with more to come next season – agree with his vision of the sport. In fact, he had often requested many such changes before leaving the scene in 2006.
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"What I clearly said a few weeks ago was that I am trying to return to Formula One, and that my chances are very slim," the 38-year-old Canadian stated.

To Montreal news site RueFrontenac.com, Villeneuve explained: "USF1 is a good option for me because they will be based in North America and I want to continue residing in Montreal. Furthermore, I know the team's sporting director Peter Windsor well and he was a good friend of Gilles'. It's always reassuring to associate with people you've always known."

Villeneuve, who is participating in the 24 Hours of Spa this weekend, went on to say he intended to jet between Belgium and Hungary in order to continue discussing his Formula One future with other teams as well.

"It's a lot of work racing and negotiating during the same weekend," he admitted. "I want to race as much as I can this year, but most importantly I want a full-time seat next year."

Daniel BASTIEN