20/10/2010
NEWS STORY
Mat Coch writes:
Jacques Villeneuve could be set to turn his back on Formula One again if reports in the Australian media are to be believed.
The Canadian, who has recently been linked with a buy-out of the Hispania Racing Team, will take part in the Gold Coast 600 this weekend, a round of the Australian V8 Supercar championship.
Acting as a co-driver in the event, the 1997 World Champion has suggested his guest appearance may turn into a full time role in future, a move which would all but end his immediate future in Formula One.
"There is a big chance you will see more of me here," Villeneuve told Sydney's Daily Telegraph newspaper. "I wouldn't mind doing it full-time because it could be a lot of fun."
While competing in NASCAR in the United States Villeneuve has been involved with former GP2 outfit Durango's bid to become Formula One's thirteenth team for 2011. The FIA rejected the bid, opting instead to leave the thirteenth slot empty.
"We were working hard on Formula One, but we are looking towards other things like NASCAR now.
"We had everything in place for thirteenth team, but the FIA did a back-flip. There was obviously something we didn't know about."
Since then there has been speculation linking Villeneuve and Durango to HRT, some even suggesting Bernie Ecclestone was personally involved in an attempt to make the deal happen. It's a rumour HRT boss Colin Kolles has angrily denied, snapping at reporters when asked.
Winner of eleven Grands Prix, Villeneuve has also been linked with the failed Stefan GP. The Serbian outfit had secured use of Toyota's 2010 car and looked set to replace USF1 in an eleventh-hour attempt to make the 2010 grid in Bahrain, before being blocked by the FIA, leaving Villeneuve without a seat.
If Villeneuve were to make a racing return to Formula One it would see the grid packed with an unprecedented five former World Champions (Button, Hamilton, Alonso, Schumacher and Villeneuve), with twelve titles between them, though at 39 years of age a management position seems more likely.