Jacques Villeneuve says he and BAR team boss David Richards have resolved their differences and the reformed F1 bad boy has (again) declared himself ready to return to his former team next year.
Jacques Villeneuve says he and BAR team boss David Richards have resolved their differences and the reformed F1 bad boy has (again) declared himself ready to return to his former team next year.
The outspoken Canadian driver was one of the founding members of the Brackley-based team, and following Jenson Button’s announcement of his move to Williams-BMW next year, Villeneuve said he was keen to complete his “unfinished business”.
“BAR needs someone who can adapt to the team very quickly,” he told . “I’m experienced, I know what it takes to win and I’ve won before. I’ve been with the team through the hardest time and we all survived it together until this year, until everything changed. So there is unfinished business and that means I’m very hungry”.
Villeneuve left BAR Honda in a huff shortly before the Japanese Grand Prix last year. During 2003, the relationship between Villeneuve and Richards gradually deteriorated, not helped by various parties running to the press at every turn, and the atrocious reliability of the Canadian’s car.
“We’ve cleared that,” said Villeneuve. “Anything personal is always difficult to clear because you are in the middle of it and it’s hard to have perspective. I’ve led my life always shutting the book on the past and going forwards. So there’s no reason to do things differently”.
Richards has already confirmed that he has spoken to the Canadian but was at pains to emphasise that he has spoken to a number of drivers. The seat at BAR – and let’s not forget, there could be two vacancies at Brackley – is one of the most coveted in F1 and there are many drivers who would like to be considered.
According to reports, Villeneuve has had a change of attitude, is genuinely keen to return to racing and even willing to accept some of the additional public relations work that goes with the job.
There are many people within the grand prix fraternity, including F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone, who want Villeneuve back in the sport. But will the 1997 World Champion consider a return with any team other than BAR – or perhaps Toyota? Not likely.
