Villeneuve back with new team???

[nojvnof1 0]

Hey all,

here's an article from pitpass.com

Villeneuve in race return?

30/03/2004

"Although initial reports are somewhat 'sketchy', to say the least, it's understood that former World Champion Jacques Villeneuve is being linked with a new Dubai-based racing team.

It's not known whether this would involve Formula One or the A1 Grand Prix series, which is being launched in Dubai today.

Initial reports suggest that the team, which is apparently to be called Khamsin, after the desert wind, will be launched in Monaco on May 21 and that Villeneuve is to test a car later this year.

It's reported that the project is financed by Sheikh Hamad bin Janabiya, whose family makes its money from oil production, while the team will be run by Janabiya's son Salman.

It's understood that further details will be given on Thursday, which just happens to be April 1."

Don't know what to think here. On one hand, this could be JV's chance to complete some unfinished business and try to help build a team from scratch into competitors, something he couldn't do at BARf as he was given the boot once they showed potential. But on the other hand, we're all aware how hard it is to join the big guns, especially with a new team. I hope this isn't BAR part two. Should this be true it'll help explain why JV hasn't been looking for a drive and why when Cle@r asked JV why he wanted to be let go by BARf at the end of last year, JV said he had his reasons. The one thing that worries me is that its said the details will be announced on 1st April, April Fools Day. We'll see until then.

If this is true, I wish JV and the team all the best.

shaun

[Sato 0]

How old is JV?

i don't think there is enuff time to get a new team to the top..he couldn't do it with BAR and he had many years with them.

[nojvnof1 0]

He's gonna be 33 this year, so he's not that old. BAR was beset by internal bickering, politics, poor designers from the start, that's why JV couldn't do it. BAR came good in 2000 then fell back and recovered this year. If this is true, he could do it given the right circumstances.

shaun

[juany 0]

if it is true, i wonder how a new team in development was kept a secret without even the odd rumour or whisper of it?

[Senna 0]

I very much doubt this story is true. It takes years to build up a good team and I doubt JV has either the time or desire to do this. His best move would be to join a current F1 team rather than help develop yet another time-consuming project. Who knows, he could even rejoin BAR after they sack Takuma Sato!

[C.A.L. 0]

Sauber might be a more stable option once they CAN Massa "da Crasha" .

Williams may as well just grab him while the team has the BMW engine and any hope of staying close to the top three next year.

God only knows it might even be this year for either of those teams...and if Sato fails at BAR...F they would not ask J.V. back but whip in Davidson for they can rely on their own Team choices

[Senna 0]

Or BAR could go with Coulthard…he might not be able to go to Toyota because of Ralf’s new deal (this has yet to be confirmed) and Da Matta will probably be kept…but who knows? This is going to be a very interesting season to find out who goes where for the next!

[webber 0]

hay that will be the 3rd tupe of open weel racing he has been in. he just cant find a nice cosy home

[Senna 0]

Has Villeneuve been having any talks with F1 teams recently about a possible return?

[nojvnof1 0]

Has Villeneuve been having any talks with F1 teams recently about a possible return?

Haven't read anything concrete, just rumours. Firstly he was with Williams, then Jaguar, then Jordan, then Toyota, then this new team and now....McLaren. F1Racing.net says that McLaren will replace DC with JV from Barcelona, whilst DC will be paid and given a seat in DTM. Apparently Ron Dennis will announce it this weekend.

I don't believe a word of it. But its funny how JV is stated to be washed up when hes being linked with almost every team in F1. I also think the rumour about this new team was just a april fools joke. Well haha!! :wink: