Villeneuve out...

[Digital]

... of this weekend's Hungarian GP at least

Kubica stands in for Villeneuve

It would seem a strange time to replace JV given that he's done surprisingly well so far this year, but Kubica always seemed to be lined up for a drive next year.

[egomeister]

It'll be nice to see what Kubica can do in a race situation - seems like a talented guy. Shame about Villeneuve though, was driving reasonably well this year, and off circuit was fairly outspoken without being argumentative. Hope he sees out the year.

[magic torch]

Yep, been more impressed with Villeneuve than any other season.

He seems to have knuckled down and got on with it, been fairly quick too.

[hut49]

They didn't have a choice but replace him when he told the management that the Hungaroring is so boring he couldn't guarantee being awake for the second lap.

[Dakkon]

Does anyone know the reason he is out, becuase they report he was not injured in the crash?

[hut49]

hut49 said:

They didn't have a choice but replace him when he told the management that the Hungaroring is so boring he couldn't guarantee being awake for the second lap.

Hardly likely to inspire team management when he puts out releases like this! www.jacquesvilleneuve.com/news/story_10299.shtml I suspect they've decided that while he's no doubt contributed a lot to the team in the season so far - and looked pretty quick on occasions - he's yesterday's driver and they may as well gain a few races with tomorrow's guy in the hot seat. I suspect the closest JV will ever come again to racing other F1 drivers will be in next year's DTM!

[steviebee]

Has someone at the Beeb been at Kubica's pic on Photoshop or is that what he looks like?

Cue Fleet Street pun writers: Pole goes for Pole, Pole Rolls (RollyPolley), etc...

[anonymous-user]

hut49 said:

hut49 said:

They didn't have a choice but replace him when he told the management that the Hungaroring is so boring he couldn't guarantee being awake for the second lap.

Hardly likely to inspire team management when he puts out releases like this! www.jacquesvilleneuve.com/news/story_10299.shtml I suspect they've decided that while he's no doubt contributed a lot to the team in the season so far - and looked pretty quick on occasions - he's yesterday's driver and they may as well gain a few races with tomorrow's guy in the hot seat. I suspect the closest JV will ever come again to racing other F1 drivers will be in next year's DTM!

i would rather have JV and his oustpoken personality than robots like raikonnen though who just tow the party line out each year... i suspect JV will go back to champ car rather than DTM as Champ Car looks like a lot more fun than F1 at the moment...

[stuttgartmetal]

When Mansell went to US, the analogy used was "it's a bit like the World Heavyweight Boxing Champion fighting in fairgrounds", and I couldn't agree more

[jpf]

I have been pulling for JV...
The last couple of races just didn't look too good.
I hope he comes back to BMW/Sauber--if Kubica does well (better than Nick), I doubt we'll see JV.
Personally, I'd like to see him race JPM at NASCAR or go back to IRL/CART.

[rallycross]

I'm a fan of F1, but if 2006 is the end of JV and JPM in F1 it will just add to the excruciating dullness of it all to the point of who cares!

Good luck to Kubika; lets see if he is quick.I doubt he will be once he gets into race mode - he'll be no quicker than JV/NH plus he'll have the pressure of it being his first F1 start so unlikely he will outperform the regulars.

[hut49]

Bye bye JV - I thought Kubica made a pretty good job of his first wet drive of an F1 car during an F1 weekend. He showed persistence in the race and seemed pretty quick and eager to mix it. I think he will go far in F1. As for JV well I think he would be a great development asset to a team like Midland or Super Aguri, but maybe he'll feel it's time to move on.