30/04/2004
NEWS STORY
Following reports that Jacques Villeneuve is on WilliamsF1's 'shortlist' for 2005, the former World Champion's friend and manager Craig Pollock, insists that the Canadian will be back in an F1 car next year.
"I would put a lot of money on Jacques being back in 2005," he told British tabloid The Sun. "I have already had discussions with the right teams. Jacques had offers to drive this season but he is only prepared to race for someone who will give him a chance of fighting Michael Schumacher for the title."
Last year, following the arrival of Jenson Button, and as team boss began to fully assert himself, Villeneuve's position within the team looked increasingly difficult, not helped by woeful reliability. Although talks were said to be ongoing it was widely seen that the relationship between Villeneuve and the team he helped establish, were coming to an end. Finally, after months of speculation, it was revealed that Takuma Sato would partner Button this season, the Japanese driver replacing Villeneuve in the final race of the season.
Although Villeneuve was linked with a number of teams, nothing came to fruition, and there were fears that F1 had seen the last of this flawed genius. Behind the scenes, key figures such as Bernie Ecclestone were keen to see the outspoken Canadian back in a car.
"Jacques certainly doesn't feel he is finished with Formula One," added Pollock. "He is hungry to race again and fitter than ever thanks to a new training program."
It's widely thought that Villeneuve's financial demands were putting teams off, not so, says Pollock.
"Money will not be an issue when negotiating a return," he promised, "but what he will not do is chug around at the back of the field. He wants a car that can win races and fight for the championship. Williams is certainly an interesting prospect."
The Sun claims that 'a source' close to WilliamsF1, believes that Villeneuve has a very good chance of returning to F1 with the team with which he won his World Championship title.
"It's unlikely Frank will take a gamble and go for someone with no experience," said 'the source', "and trying to sign Jenson Button or Mark Webber may be impossible. Jacques would certainly be very high in the third category because we know what he is capable of given the right car."