Jacques joins Sauber!

[chris]

The Sauber team have announced Jacques Villeneuve will drive for them from the 2005 season onwards.

The 33-year-old Canadian entered into a two-year contract, which will come into effect next November. Villeneuve will be the teammate of Brazilian Felipe Massa, who will continue to drive for Sauber next year.

"I am extremely excited to be back in Formula One with the Sauber Petronas team, and I appreciate the confidence everybody is showing in me," the former World Champion said. "It is my goal to work with Peter and his team to bring them forward in the championship during the next two seasons.

"In my recent visit to Sauber I have been extremely impressed by the professionalism which is apparent throughout the factory. I am looking forward to seeing the results that will be developed by the state-of-the-art wind tunnel."

Villeneuve entered Formula One in 1996 and won a total of eleven races. He was World Champion in 1997. The Canadian made his Formula One debut today, testing for the Renault team at the Silverstone circuit.

"I have to admit that signing a former World Champion is something truly special for me," said Team Principal Peter Sauber. "However, I want to make it clear that this was not the decisive factor. When I was talking to Jacques, I could feel that he is absolutely keen and committed to return to Formula One.

"He was always a great fighter and I am convinced that together we can achieve a lot. I fully realise that signing a former World Champion is also an obligation for the team to provide him with a car that meets his expectations.

"Sauber Petronas has made considerable progress this year, and I am confident that we are ready to tackle this challenge."

So it's official, Jacques Villeneuve has signed to drive for the ever improving Sauber team. I think this could be a very productive relationship for both. Peter Sauber has a no nonsense attitude, his team is steady and steady, and now they have a former world champion driving for them.

[monaro]

what about fisi? he's too talented to just leave f1

[chris]

Fisichella -> Renault (next year).

Peter Sauber won't let Fisichella go before the end of this year though, much to the disgust of the Renault-team principle, Flavio Briatore.

[monaro]

what a mix up. put fisi in a renault and jacques in a sauber right now so they get experience in their respective cars. theres no point so close to the end of the season for them to be in each others cars

[chris]

No, that's not a good idea.

Sauber is sort of desperate for points, and trying to get whatever points it can each race, so it would prefer to keep Fisichella who knows exactly how the Sauber C23 performs under race conditions, rather than bringing in an inexperienced driver (by that, I mean inexperienced with that particular car).

Renault however has nothing to lose by having Jacques drive their car for the rest of the year, Trulli has had absolutely enough of Renault (well more likely the manager if not the team itself), and clearly both parties are better off in that case.

The other thing to consider is that next years Renault R25 and Sauber C24 will be far different from this years cars.

[monaro]

i disagree, the quicker jacques and fisi get accustomed to their new teams engineers and mechanical staff the quicker they will be performing at their best. only the cars change next year, the people and politics inside the teams is still the same.

off topic, what a horror year for F1. it hasn't been smooth sailing at all this year at all.
next year is building up to be a very very good year. i just hope the other teams find pace to match the red cars. if they do, it will be a season to watch

[lewi]

It's good to see him back! Sam, the F1 silly season has been more exciting than the actual racing. Well, up until the last few races, mainly silverstone. I wonder who'll fill in for Trulli for the rest of this year?

[monaro]

spa was a ripper of a race, glad i watched the whole thing. monza i missed but the summary sounded like it was a good one.

[lewi]

Spa rocked my world!............Monza wasn't too bad at all, I taped it if u want to watch it!

[chris]

Monza was a great race. :D There was quite a bit of overtaking too, and some brilliant racing by many of the drivers.

But, if it is judged by the results alone (ie, the 1st and 2nd places), it was actually a boring race, and proves F1 is completely hopeless or pointless. ;)

[lewi]

heh, but Life's about the journey, not the destination eh? A bit like F1. :p