While BMW may cut its losses and leave Formula One at the end of 2007, we may not have seen the back of Jacques Villeneuve yet, who could make his reappearance in 2005 for Williams.
While BMW may cut its losses and leave Formula One at the end of 2007, we may not have seen the back of Jacques Villeneuve yet, who could make his reappearance in 2005 for Williams.
BMW board member, Burkhard Goschel, has said that unless the sport “remains an attractive technical and commercial proposition”, the company may have to consider other options.
“We are committed to motorsport; we are not fixed on Formula One," Goschel said.
Meanwhile, according to the 1997 world champion, Villeneuve, is on the list of candidates when a Williams-BMW seat becomes available in 2005. The team has at least one driver vacancy now with Juan Pablo Montoya moving over to McLaren at the end of this season. Ralf Schumacher may also decide to leave Williams when his contract expires this year, leaving two seats available.
Villeneuve claimed the title in a Williams-Renault in 1997.
After being dropped by BAR last year to free up the R136 million which had been earmarked as his annual retainer, Villeneuve is apparently “annoyed” that Jenson Button and Takuma Sato are the ones benefiting from an improved car.
Button in particular has been in roaring form this season securing three podium spots in a row for BAR including a second place at Sunday’s San Marino Grand Prix. He also handed the team its first pole position since it joined the sport in 1999.
Villeneuve’s friend, Jock Clear, who is now Takumo Sato’s race engineer said the ex-driver was still in regular contact with him and still “has many friends in the paddock.”
“He’s not hoping the drivers crash and he’s happy for Jenson,” Clear said. ‘Sure, it annoys him, but Jacques still surprises me – he’s extremely strong.’