Richards plays down - but doesn't dismiss - JV rumours

[Senna 0]

from planetf1.com:

Richards plays down - but doesn't dismiss - JV rumours

Saturday August 14 2004

Dave Richards has played down suggestions that Jacques Villeneuve could replace Jenson Button - but hasn't ruled out the possibility.

Confirming that he had spoken to Villeneuve, who left BAR at the end of last season, Richards said he wouldn't be thinking about his 2005 driver line-up until a ruling had been made on the validity of Button's Williams contract.

"He (Villeneuve) called me and we had a chat about things as have a lot of people," Richards said in Hungary.

"We will resolve the current situation first [before deciding the 2005 driver line-up]."

Villeneuve's relationship with Richards soured at the end of his five-year stint with BAR, but the former World Champ has already indicated that he would leap at the chance to return to the team.

"David Richards and I have had our differences but I believe we can put everything behind us," Villeneuve told The Sun. "I'm sure we can sort things out and work together on making the team go forward because BAR are true front-runners. Ferrari are the best but after them it's BAR - the only team that can worry Michael Schumacher."

"I've spoken to David and it would be good if something can be worked out but we have to wait and see what happens to Jenson. But I want to get back into F1 and fight at the front. I've been watching the races on TV this season and I've been training since the winter. I'm hungry for a return."

"By the end of last season there were political problems, coupled with few results on the track, but the problems I had with David are no longer an issue."

[amjay 0]

button should stay in bar la besides bar is performing bettr than williams ... jv would be bettr of in a williams than with richards and bar...

[eddoyle 0]

Villeneuve is desperate for the drive he would have had anyway had his talent anyway measured up to his mouth.

Richards is playing a shrewed game of keeping his options open for a credible lead driver next season. I think its fair to say that Villeneuve, who alienated the entire workforce at BAR during his time there, will not be to the front of Richards list.

There are other equally if not more talented drivers, who would work with the team to develop the package available to Richards.

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There are other equally if not more talented drivers, who would work with the team to develop the package available to Richards.

Yes, but none of those drivers are currently available. Of the choice open to DR, Jacques is clearly the best option. Can you name a handful of better options that are not contractually bound to another team for 2005 and beyond?

[Sato 0]

Davidson and Sato will be the BAR two drivers next year.

[Senna 0]

Davidson and Sato will be the BAR two drivers next year.

That would be disastrous. Sato is hopeless and Davidson needs more experience before he is to be given a full-time drive at a top team like BAR, he does however have a lot of potential.

Villeneuve would be the ideal option as he is quick and experienced and familiar with both BAR and Honda

[C.A.L. 0]

This has been the far most determined and firm account of feedback from any source regarding the return of Villeneuve to BAR.

I am getting the feeling that BAR wants to position themselves to act sooner rather than later on the Button's continued time at BAR.

[Sato 0]

I never said Sato and Davidson would be the best combo, im pretty cofient thats who they'll go with though.

They'll want stability. Davidson and Sato have both been there this year, so that helps, they know all the guys etc. No doubt davidson has alot of potential, and they'll try and rush him into being a top driver. Meanwhile Takuma will get on with things, and pick up a few podiums.

[paul m 0]

BAR are clearly capable of winning at this time and by all accounts appear to be the 2nd best team on the grid or at least on par with Renault. To suggest that they would put there immediate future into the hands of Sato and Davidson is absurd. Davidson is potentially very very good but he is just that- POTENTIALLY very good. Sato too was potentially very good, and he still is, but he is not there yet and may never be. I doubt Honda and BAT are willing to accept that. DC clearly is not championship material. The slagging of Jacques is unfair and a case of personal biasness on the part of many or misinformation about him based on media biasness. There has been so much B.S. written about JV, that many start to believe it. Honda and BAT never wanted JV to leave and no doubt will have a major say in who does drive a BAR in 2005.

[Senna 0]

Davidson has done extremely well on the Friday

[nojvnof1 0]

JV is the cover boy on the latest edition of Autosport. The front cover goes along the lines of 'Revealed: The plan to bring Villeneuve back to BAR.' Or something like that. Me thinks in regards the JB situation that if BAR do win the case, they'll make him sit '05 out or they will demand lots of $$ from Williams for a release, or the other case is Williams wins and there is one spot up. It should be down here in about 2 weeks, so Ill get it when it gets here.

Here's some excerpts from the interview Ive compiled from f1-live.com and gp2004.com and all I can say is that it is looking promising, and it would, in the words of a website I can't remember the name of mark the unlikeliest comeback in the history of modern F1. Not JV back in F1, but JV back in F1 with BAR with DR at the helm!!

""Jacques Villeneuve says he has buried the hatchet with David Richards and is ready to return to BAR.

The 1997 world champion left the team in acrimonious circumstances at the end of last year

[Shadow 0]

Going by this year's silly season, I wouldn't be surprised if JV does return, it would cap off a wierd and wacky season of rumours.

You know I agree with you on that one. Silly season is at a feverish pitch this season( no last year onwards, when Juan moved to McLaren). But JV still surprises me, he must be a very strong character to put his differences with dear old DR into the garbage and work alongside :!: But it shows clearly that he is desparate for a drive next season, maybe to finish some unfinished bussiness( may be snub some critics on the nose who questioned his capability) :wink:

[Shadow 0]

Richards is playing a shrewed game of keeping his options open for a credible lead driver next season. I think its fair to say that Villeneuve, who alienated the entire workforce at BAR during his time there, will not be to the front of Richards list.

What list are you talking about :?: I don't think DR has any lists, he has still not cleared Button's situation. Needless to say he will be fighting tooth and nail with Williams for Button.

[Senna 0]

If a driver wants to leave a team it is debatable whether a team boss should force him to stay in a team which he clearly no longer wants to be a part of

[nojvnof1 0]

If CRB decides in favour of BAR, I wouldn't be surprised if DR makes JB spend '05 on the sidelines before he joins Williams in '06. This would leave a space at Williams for a year, JV would fit the bill, for BAR or Williams.

[Shadow 0]

If CRB decides in favour of BAR, I wouldn't be surprised if DR makes JB spend '05 on the sidelines before he joins Williams in '06. This would leave a space at Williams for a year, JV would fit the bill, for BAR or Williams.

But who would DR bring in( if.... the CRB rules in favour of BAR,that is, which according to me is extremely doubtful). Besides, JB is so vastly popular( we did hear Honda say they did everything to get Button), if the CRB rules in favour of BAR, Honda for one are going to be very happy indeed.

[Senna 0]

If CRB decides in favour of BAR, I wouldn't be surprised if DR makes JB spend '05 on the sidelines before he joins Williams in '06. This would leave a space at Williams for a year, JV would fit the bill, for BAR or Williams.

This would be a difficult situation but it is highly doubtful that DR would not allow JB to complete his contract at BAR if the CRB gave BAR the green light. After all DR is fighting so hard to try to keep Button, why would he then not let him race if he was successful in keeping Button at BAR? Further more, DR is not a vindictive person, although the JV fans may dispute this. After all, after hearing of Button

[Shadow 0]

If CRB decides in favour of BAR, I wouldn't be This would be a difficult situation but it is highly doubtful that DR would not allow JB to complete his contract at BAR if the CRB gave BAR the green light. After all DR is fighting so hard to try to keep Button, why would he then not let him race if he was successful in keeping Button at BAR?  Further more, DR is not a vindictive person, although the JV fans may dispute this.  

Well I am a JV fan and all I can say is DR is not a vindictive person as far as JB is the person. Can't say the same about JV though. Maybe it is because JB is an Englishman.

[Senna 0]

[You messed up my quote a bit Shadow but never mind]

On the whole I think DR is a good manager, I think he made a mistake sacking JV but with Honda pressing for the introduction of Sato and the subsequent dismissal of JV, exacerbated by the Honda engine deal expiring, I think he didn

[nojvnof1 0]

I read that JV was paid BAT, not BAR, and that it did NOT divert from development.

[Shadow 0]

[You messed up my quote a bit Shadow but never mind]On the whole I think DR is a good manager, I think he made a mistake sacking JV but with Honda pressing for the introduction of Sato and the subsequent dismissal of JV, exacerbated by the Honda engine deal expiring, I think he didn’t have many options available to him.  He also didn’t like JV’s personality and work ethic and whilst I can’t find much fault with the latter (although I would hardly call JV the most diligent driver in F1) his personality clearly clashed with that of DR.  Some of the comments JV made were also a little unwise and this may have angered DR…JV was also getting paid excessively and DR even said that JV’s wages restricted car development!

By the way I am pro-Villeneuve but I am not unaware of DR’s concerns…

Well, talking about work ethics, remember what he said at the end of 2003.

"you can ask those who I work with and you will know the truth". As for DR not liking it, well those two were daggers at each other right from the moment DR recruited JB and personified him Champion-remember this was right after JB's worst season in F1.Well, how do you expect a driver who has worked tirelessly from the start for the team, to react when pushed backwards in one go.

P.S. My kindest apologies for "messing" up your quote. It was just far too long.