Villeneuve's return

[daydreamer]

FourWheelDrift said:

4 drivers being considered apparantly for the Williams drives, including Villenevue www.autosport.com/newsitem.asp?id=27198&s=5 Autosport said: Ralf's imminent departure to Toyota leaves two race seats begging Williams has identified a hit-list of four drivers – Mark Webber, David Coulthard, Giancarlo Fisichella and Jacques Villeneuve – to join its 2005 Formula 1 line-up to replace Toyota-bound Ralf Schumacher and McLaren signing Juan Pablo Montoya, according to an exclusive report in this week's Autosport magazine. Autosport sources have revealed Schumacher's contract with Toyota is subject only to final approval in Japan, which would mean two vacancies in Williams' 2005 race team. With Jenson Button out of the frame due to his watertight BAR contract, insiders have indicated that Coulthard, Fisichella and Villeneuve are the three favoured options to join Webber – understood to be at the very top of its shopping list. Villeneuve and Coulthard are known to have discussions with Williams, and the Canadian – who won the world championship with the team in 1997 – has begun a new programme with long-time fitness trainer Erwin Gollner. His manager, Craig Pollock, has said that Villeneuve was in fact training in Monaco when reports of him attending a test at Paul Ricard spread like wildfire earlier this week. If it cannot secure the services of two of it's 'A-list' drivers, another four – Scott Dixon, Marc Gene, Nick Heidfeld and Antonio Pizzonia – would be considered for race seats.

Hmm - is there really any chance of not being able to secure two of those guys - I'm sure DC and JV would drive for performance related pay only - Webber too probably. For some reason I don't see Fisi there though - don't know why not.

[hut49]

Snowball's chance in hell of JV going to Williams. My money's on him going to Jaguar, to join Justin Wilson who gets reinstated because Webber's going to Renault.

[ceejay]

Sook,

UR also correct, JV did get a good deal from BAR in salary terms but I think that view is a bit narrow. It's obvious that as an F1 and CART champ he wouldn't be cheap. His name was an integral part of the team and used to attract investors, all part of the business plan. Guess he helped bring in much more than he cost so BAR were happy to pay him. Nothing wrong with getting as much money as you can, certainly I can't ever remember going to a pay review board and saying sorry guys you're paying me way too much!

Ceejay

[RichB]

ceejay said:

RichB, Hmmmm on the face of it you're right Jenson did have a better season than JV last year etc... Then again I'm sure that you talk from experience, correct me if I'm wrong. Ceejay

Ceejay, why the sarcasm? No need for it! And no I've have not raced cars whilst you have, that doesn't make your opinion any more or less valid than mine. Rich...

[ceejay]

RichB,

Sorry fogot on PH, must use smileys more!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I just think that sometimes it's very easy to watch from the outside and say yeah he's rubbish or he's great. Just trying to give a bigger picture and as I said I've not raced much either so I'm not claiming to be an expert. But having just started and observed the 'pro' teams at work and the difference it makes to their drivers I'm sure it was a factor in last years performance by JV.

[RichB]

Smiley or no smiley I thought your comment was just plain sarcastic. And... as you say you are a rooky even worse! Rich...

[ceejay]

I'm just amazed that you picked that little bit of my original post to comment on. I thought my original post presented a much bigger picture than that which you commented on and hopefully a more balanced view of the stuff that went on last year. Maybe not, so just for you here is a statement of fact

JB so far is JV's only team mate in F1 not to have won a race. That's not sarcastic at all, it's accurate.

[RichB]

ceejay said:

I'm just amazed that you picked that little bit of my original post to comment on. etc.... JB so far is JV's only team mate in F1 not to have won a race. That's not sarcastic at all, it's accurate.

Fine, the part of your post I took exception to was "Then again I'm sure that you talk from experience, correct me if I'm wrong." This simply sounds sarcastic and egotistical. Rich...

[Simon.J]

Calm down ladies dont argue! Whats it gona prove, lifes too short!

Si