A Blast of Canadian Hot Air
Feeling a bit chilly on this fourth of July weekend? If so, step into this jetstream of hot air coming out of Canadian Jacques Villieneuve.
INDIANAPOLIS, United States (AFP) - Canadian Jacques Villeneuve could quit Formula One for the US-based NASCAR championship next year, the veteran racer said.Villeneuve, 35, looks set to be dropped by BMW Sauber next year in favour of Polish test driver Robert Kubica, 21, who has regularly topped Friday practice sessions this year.
Quit? Nice spin Jacques, that’s akin to saying Nixon “quit.”
And with no top teams seemingly interested in him either, the 1997 World Champion could leave the sport with his reputation intact and switch to the Oval-based Saloon Series - second only to the NFL in popularity in America. Villeneuve told the Red Bulletin.
Certainly Jacques feels with “his reputation intact” he’s deserving of a NASCAR provided Golden Parachute, but that reputation has preceded him by bad mouthing former teammates and those that sign his paycheck.
“Going to NASCAR might not be such a bad career move because it’s the most exciting race series in the US and it’s a very different discipline to F1.“I would not consider it a step down. Would I consider a move to stock cars? I would. But I would have to consider my family too as we would have to move to the US.”
Family concerns aside, which are legit by any standards, the soon-to-be rideless Jacques proceeds to slam the door on other more appropriate options in the U.S. He ruled out returning to CCWS or making a move to the IRL IndyCar series any time soon
“As it stands now, CART and the IRL are looking tired. I would not consider a switch from F1 to either series a good career move.“You only do that if you have no other choice, unless you do what Nigel Mansell did - win the F1 title, quit, and then take the Indy championship in your rookie year. That was amazing.”
Well winning another F1 title isn’t in the cards. But why would a future unemployed race driver, albiet a multi-millionaire one, show disrepect towards two U.S. based series’ that are closest to his preferred discipline of open wheel racing?
It could be he has tested the waters and found no takers and he is down to “no other choice” but NASCAR. An assertion, if true, doesn’t say much for his respect for that series.
The only other answer is Jacques is just a blovating fool who enjoys hearing himself talk. I’ve said it before and it bares repeating, there are other options for Villeneuve to continue his career. And with full respect for family concerns he can remain firmly planted within Europe.
Take it or leave it!
NASCAR, Jacques Villeneuve, F1, Formula one, NEXTEL Cup, Auto Racing, Motorsports, Full Throttle
I he pops up at all after F1, my guess, the occassional sportscar gig at LeMans.
NASCAR would be interesting, how do you think he would go Marc?
Hi Marc,
Not that I’m sticking up for J.V., but could he be turning down a potential ride in either IRL or CART because of the increasingly poor product they are putting out? I mean, let’s face it, these two series have had serious problems since the split that occured between them and I don’t see anything positive happening with the two seperate series until they are re-united. Until the problems that happened between the two owner factions it used to be that F1 drivers left F1 to race Indy Cars (i.e. Mansell), now its the other way around. Why return to a series that potentially could fold within the next year or two? With the stability of NASCAR one does not have to worry if their paycheck is going to bounce or if there is going to be a series to race in next year. NASCAR just offers better job security and has a better level of competition than any other series in the U.S.
Oh, Jacques, Jacques, Jacques! I can’t wait for you to slip on a car that weighs twice as much as an F1 car with tires half as wide and brakes that effectively don’t work. Testing alone will convince any prospective team owner not to pursue the mighty JV for a season ride.
The only reason I can think of for JV to spew about a NASCAR carreer would revolve around a new team with substantial Canadian sponsorship backing, say from Molson’s or Labatt’s. Even then there are better Canadian drivers more deserving of a seat then our dear boy JV.
His only valid point is avoiding Champ Cars or the IRL as potential rides, unless a merger consolidates the two ailing series. Not even Jacko can be all wrong all the time!
I agree with you in principle 4ever3, but I just cant see JV making the commitment to race, what is it? 30 races a year.
That would be 37 races a year including the all-star event, NOT including testing. Compared to F1, I can’t wait to see him try and race a car twice as heavy with tires half the size and brakes that really don’t work. He should seek out the advice of Paul Tracy before embarrassing himself.
The only thing that makes sense is if he can rustle up a prime Canadian based sponsor like Molson or LaBatt to bring to a NASCAR team. That and Busch coming to Montreal are the only reasons a team would possibly look at JV.
As for Champ Cars or the IRL, you have to admit when he is correct in his assessment on either series. Even a blind squirrel can find an ocaissional acorn!
In essence I agree with all of you.
I can understand JV’s reluctance to move into CCWS or the IRL however I think they will become one within the next 2-3 years.
The only reason Paul Tracy has been given a chance is some personel bond he has with Childress. Without that he would have no shot.
And JV doesn’t have that to assist him. All he has is an advancing age, and a ton of baggage in the form of ill will formulated in this current stint in F1.
Sorry. the British Lawn Mower Racing Association is the only option left for motor mouth.
Molson and Labatt’s have too much money tied up into Canadian hockey to make a stab at becoming a primary sponsor for a NASCAR team for a full season. Maybe a secondary sponsorship, but I doubt it. Unless, and this is a biggy, they tie into their U.S. brewery affiliations. Molson is with Miller and Labatt’s is with Bud as each Canadian brewery has exclusive licences to brew beer under the Miller and Budwieser names respectively in Canada, while Miller and Budwieser have exclusive liecences to brew beer under the Molson (Canadian) and Labatt’s (Blue) names respectively in the U.S. That would be interesting, but if I were Labatt’s I would rather Bud shared Earnhardt Jr. with me for even two races than run a full season with Jacques. The advertising related to Jr. for 2 races would be far better, and just imagine if he won one of those races. All them southern boys would be drinking Labatt’s until the cows came home. Ka-ching!!!!!!
Also, J.V. running a full NASCAR sched.? I don’t think so. As a Canadian I rather see Ron Fellows in a NASCAR ride before Jacques.