Jacques Villeneuve

Jacques Joseph Charles Villeneuve (born April 9, 1971) is a Canadian automobile racing driver, and winner of Formula One and Champ Car championships and the Indianapolis 500, one of only two drivers to accomplish all three feats (the other being Emerson Fittipaldi).

Comeback

Inactive for most of the 2004 season, Villeneuve's absence nevertheless had a strong impact on the Formula One season, especially in light of Schumacher's dominance. In September, Villeneuve returned to Formula One, driving the final three Grands Prix of the season for French-based Renault. Although vowing to help them achieve second place in the constructor championship (ahead of his former team BAR), he failed to score a single point, unable to finish a single race on the lead lap; Renault settled for third in the final standings. Villeneuve also signed a two-year contract to drive for Sauber, starting in 2005.

Related Topics:
2004 - September - French - Renault - Contract - Sauber - 2005

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His Sauber debut at the Australian Grand Prix was remarkable only for his (weather assisted) P4 starting position. For most of the first part of the season, he was the slowest driver on Michelin tyres. He scored points at Imola, however, the pressure was back on him when he crashed into his team-mate Felipe Massa in Monaco, ruining both their races.

Related Topics:
Australian Grand Prix - Michelin - Imola - Felipe Massa - Monaco

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Towards the end of the season, his pace has improved, and he scored more points at Belgium, moving ahead of Massa in the championship tables. Villeneuve is confident that he will still be driving next year, even with the news that Sauber has been purchased by BMW and is to become the BMW factory squad.

Related Topics:
Belgium - BMW

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