Shadow 0 Report post Posted September 6, 2004 From Planet- F1 Bernie: 'F1 needs JV or Mika to return' Monday September 06 2004 Bernie Ecclestone is hoping that at least one of F1's former Champions, Jacques Villeneuve or Mika Hakkinen, makes a return to F1 next season. Both Villeneuve and Hakkinen have expressed interest in making a comeback. However, with only one of the top five teams, BAR, still having a seat available for 2005 they may have to sign with a lower-order team if they want to compete in the sport where they once reigned. "Jacques was always fast and he should get a chance to prove that he's still got these skills," Ecclestone told Welt am Sonntag newspaper. "If that were to happen it would be benefit the sport." "The same is true for Mika. Both these names, these characters represent charisma. That's what we need." However, it may not happen as Williams, whom Hakkinen was targeting, have completed their line-up, signing Mark Webber and Jenson Button, while Sauber, who Villeneuve was interested in joining, are reportedly keen on signing F3000 Champion Vitantonio Liuzzi. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AutoRacer5 0 Report post Posted September 6, 2004 The hell with or, get them both back. Imagine if Montoya leaves McLaren, Mika and Kimi, the flying Fins, driving for McLaren. (Alarm clock rings). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nojvnof1 0 Report post Posted September 7, 2004 Bernie...well duh!!!!!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AutoRacer5 0 Report post Posted September 18, 2004 One down...one to go... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rodders47 2 Report post Posted September 19, 2004 easy answer SACK BERNIE he seems to be the "SCREW IN THE EAR" to me Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AutoRacer5 0 Report post Posted September 19, 2004 Could Mika have a shot at BAR? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Smoke 0 Report post Posted September 19, 2004 I think BAR should be looking at Mika. Even if BAR win the contract dispute and keep Button, would they really want to have him race for them? More likely they would consider Button damaged goods and make him sit out 2005. They don't want an uncommitted driver at the wheel. Then again, if Frank opens his purse strings, he could buy Button from BAR and run him in 2005. Or they lose the contract dispute and Button goes to Williams anyway. So, in all three scenarios, we have an open seat at BAR. I can't think of any reason BAR wouldn't want to have an ex-world champion in the seat again. Especially since it would be Mika and not JV. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AutoRacer5 0 Report post Posted September 19, 2004 They treated JV like sh!t even though JV was there through the beginning and JV is contracted to Sauber anyway. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shadow 0 Report post Posted September 20, 2004 Until the day Dr is sackedd/leaves no driver is going to last long in that team.Look at this,JV stayed there for 2 years after DR took over, now JB is looking to switch after 2 years. :wink: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nojvnof1 0 Report post Posted September 21, 2004 JB saw what DR did to JV, saw he was getting the same, though not quite as harsh treatment as JV and jumped. Now with JB getting screwed by DR, what hope does any other driver have, remember all the hype when Button was signed to BAR and the way DR just rambled on about how great JB was and how bad JV was? JB was DR's boy wonder!! Now he's left with Sato and probably DC. BAT and Honda must be happy that DR managed to rid the team of its best two drivers...NOT!!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shadow 0 Report post Posted September 21, 2004 remember all the hype when Button was signed to BAR and the way DR just rambled on about how great JB was and how bad JV was? JB was DR's boy wonder!! Now he's left with Sato and probably DC. BAT and Honda must be happy that DR managed to rid the team of its best two drivers...NOT!!!! 8) That was exactly what I mentioned sometime ago. DR and his unflinching support to British drivers boils down to an ugly CRB case Share this post Link to post Share on other sites