Villeneuve Admits Struggle Adapting to C24

Lots of work ahead
By Jamie Makin
February 12 2005

Jacques Villeneuve's test times this week at Jerez were disconcerting to his fans, the team and even to himself. While part of his lackluster test times can be attributed to the differences in his test programme versus teammate Felipe Massa's,

the other part stems from his difficulties adapting to the SAUBER C24. Villeneuve's times have ranged from one and a half to three seconds behind the Brazilian all week. "Obviously Felipe knows the car and it has been conceived with his comments - so the car is definitely better for him," Villeneuve told Autosport.com.

But the former World Champion knows he can't wait forever for the perfect car to find him. He will have to step up to the plate and perform for his new team. "The electronics for the brakes seem to be different to what I was used to and I will have to adjust my driving style," Villeneuve admitted. "I don't think the team can change it to adapt to me. Everything on this car is different [to last year's Renault] - even the suspension. I even have to adjust the way I change things on the car."

Villeneuve has spent his entire F1 career with teams whose budgets dwarf SAUBER's. He has grown accustomed to his teams being able to rapidly change and develop the car for him. "Probably a rich team can change the things to suit the driver, but probably here I will have to change," Villeneuve said.

But don't expect the team to completely disregard his suggestions for improving the car. One of the main reasons they hired him was for his experience and development skills. While the small Swiss team may be slower to act than their larger rivals, expect to see the car evolve to Villeneuve's liking as the season gets underway. In the meantime, he will have to adapt the best he can.

---