12/09/2007
NEWS STORY
More than a few Jacques Villeneuve fans were rightly concerned after the Canadian's outing at Talladega.
According to the press releases the 1997 World Champion was lucky to be alive, having been broiled in the cockpit.
A glimpse at the news articles - taken straight from the press releases - indicate that at Talladega, JV was racing in temperatures of 203°F/95°C, having previously tested at the Kentucky Speedway in temperatures of 180°F/82°C.
The comment in the original press release that Villeneuve test took place in "physically challenging circumstances" would appear to be a masterpiece of understatement.
However, upon checking with his management we learn that the temperatures given are wrong (phew!) and that the test saw temperatures hitting 82°F (28 C), while the race was run in temperatures reaching 95°F (35 C).
Mind you, in Paris tomorrow we might well see one or two people hitting temperatures in excess of 100°C.