Jacques to *Sauber* for 2005

SAUBER PETRONAS signs former World Champion Jacques Villeneuve,
Wednesday, September 15th, 2004

SAUBER PETRONAS has signed Jacques Villeneuve as a new driver from the 2005 season onwards. The 33-year-old Canadian entered into a two-year contract, which will come into effect on November 1, 2004. Jacques Villeneuve will be the team mate of Felipe Massa who will continue to drive for SAUBER PETRONAS next year.

Expressing his enthusiasm about signing Jacques Villeneuve, Team Principal Peter Sauber said: "I have to admit that signing a former World Champion is something truely special for me. 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."

Jacques Villeneuve is also optimistic: "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. 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."

Jacques Villeneuve entered Formula One in 1996 and won a total of eleven races. He was World Champion in 1997.


Makes sense, since Renault have all the seats filled for next year.

So he isn't finished driving his carreer into obscurity, eh. :screwy:

Bye Sauber, been good knowing you.

Hope you have the capital to keep it running after he's rooted your team, Pete.

Just a step away from a real Ferrari.

Put a twist on that :flipa:

he could do good things.

left over Ferarri engines, one of the best wind tunnels there is, and i'm sure he'll bring some money to the table...

this could be interesting.

isn't he finishing out this season in a Renault though?

i think suber could have gotten another driver like coulthard or luizzi.

I'm sure Sauber are not paying JV that much, so that won't be a problem, and as long as JV has forsaken his primadonna attitude and concentrates on his driving, something good can come out of this situation, and I hope it does. Hope Luizzi does get at least a testing role with a top team for next year. Also the DC point is interesting - he doesn't have many (any?) place left to go now, does he?

Coulthard could be the big winner out of all this. A seat at BAR is still open.

Or at Williams. Or both. I'd think BAR would give Davidson a chance, though, at least I hope so.

someone better give Davidson a chance. he's worth the "risk".

DC to BAR or BMW? guess we'll have to wait and see...