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Article on www.f1-live.com
Jacques Villeneuve has been backed to return to Formula One next year by two of Formula One's most experienced drivers David Coulthard and Olivier Panis - because they believe he would liven up the sport's image.
Former world champion Villeneuve quit the sport dramatically before the season-ending Japanese Grand Prix last year after claiming to be disgusted by the way he had been treated by his BAR-Honda team. The realitiy of course was that BAR Honda simply decided not to extend his contract, opting to spend his salary on the development of the team and chassis.
The outspoken Canadian has been in talks with BMW Williams and rumours have suggested he could make a comeback as a replacement for either Juan Pablo Montoya or Ralf Schumacher at the end of the year. BMW Williams have admitted that the Canadian is on the list as a possible candidate for 2005, but so are many other drivers
David Coulthard, who is himself seeking a drive next season after Montoya signed to join McLaren Mercedes in 2005, believes that a return by Villeneuve next season could be a benefit to the sport.
"I think it would be interesting for the sport for him to be back if he was able to find a spot," Coulthard stated. "As well as him being a friend I think he is a character for Formula One because he expresses his views without always giving full consideration to the consequences of how that may endear him to the team and sponsors."
"He is entertaining both out of the car and in the car because if you tell him that a corner is almost flat then he is the guy who is going to try to take it flat even if it means shunting it the other side of it, he will come with the data and say 'hey, I may have crashed and destroyed the car, but I was flat-out'. That is an interesting quality that he has!"
He and his manager Craig Pollock, who helped to set up BAR Honda from the ashes of the Tyrrell racing Organisation, had hoped to build BAR into a race-winning outfit but they failed to score a point in their first year and enjoyed limited subsequent success.
"I am still a good friend with Jacques," said Toyota veteran and former Villeneuve team-mate Oliver Panis. "We worked together for two years and I don't have any problem with him. One of Jacques' qualities is that he respects people who are working really hard and this is what I did for two years with BAR, and we still have a good relationship."
"If he's coming back, I'd welcome it because I'm sure he's still quick, still motivated but now he also needs to find a good place to prove that he's still good. If he starts with a strong team it would be a big help for him."
It remains to be seen whether BMW Williams are interested in Jacques Villeneuve or visa-versa.
Jacques Villeneuve has been backed to return to Formula One next year by two of Formula One's most experienced drivers David Coulthard and Olivier Panis - because they believe he would liven up the sport's image.
Former world champion Villeneuve quit the sport dramatically before the season-ending Japanese Grand Prix last year after claiming to be disgusted by the way he had been treated by his BAR-Honda team. The realitiy of course was that BAR Honda simply decided not to extend his contract, opting to spend his salary on the development of the team and chassis.
The outspoken Canadian has been in talks with BMW Williams and rumours have suggested he could make a comeback as a replacement for either Juan Pablo Montoya or Ralf Schumacher at the end of the year. BMW Williams have admitted that the Canadian is on the list as a possible candidate for 2005, but so are many other drivers
David Coulthard, who is himself seeking a drive next season after Montoya signed to join McLaren Mercedes in 2005, believes that a return by Villeneuve next season could be a benefit to the sport.
"I think it would be interesting for the sport for him to be back if he was able to find a spot," Coulthard stated. "As well as him being a friend I think he is a character for Formula One because he expresses his views without always giving full consideration to the consequences of how that may endear him to the team and sponsors."
"He is entertaining both out of the car and in the car because if you tell him that a corner is almost flat then he is the guy who is going to try to take it flat even if it means shunting it the other side of it, he will come with the data and say 'hey, I may have crashed and destroyed the car, but I was flat-out'. That is an interesting quality that he has!"
He and his manager Craig Pollock, who helped to set up BAR Honda from the ashes of the Tyrrell racing Organisation, had hoped to build BAR into a race-winning outfit but they failed to score a point in their first year and enjoyed limited subsequent success.
"I am still a good friend with Jacques," said Toyota veteran and former Villeneuve team-mate Oliver Panis. "We worked together for two years and I don't have any problem with him. One of Jacques' qualities is that he respects people who are working really hard and this is what I did for two years with BAR, and we still have a good relationship."
"If he's coming back, I'd welcome it because I'm sure he's still quick, still motivated but now he also needs to find a good place to prove that he's still good. If he starts with a strong team it would be a big help for him."
It remains to be seen whether BMW Williams are interested in Jacques Villeneuve or visa-versa.
