France: Jacques Upbeat for Race After Good Week

By Jamie Makin
June 29 2005

Jacques Villeneuve enjoyed a productive week of testing after the United States Grand Prix debacle. His spirits were also lifted by the news that BMW is purchasing the SAUBER team.

Despite the endless rumours about Villeneuve being let go, it appears things are currently well with him and the team. It's even possible that BMW will choose to honour his contract for next season. "The last week was very pleasant. The BMW/Sauber announcement was great news to me, and we also had a two-day test in Jerez which was very productive," said the former World Champion. "We did a lot of laps and I am very happy with the work we did with the C24. Jerez was really warm but the track tends to be quite hard on the rear end of the car, which is a kind of similar to Magny-Cours where we are racing this weekend. I also think that we did some good work with the tyres and I am pretty optimistic with the race in France - I think that we found some good options.

"I have to admit that Magny-Cours does not appear in my favourite track list, but there are a couple of high-speed chicanes which are fun. There is heavy breaking and a good overtaking opportunity at the Adelaide hairpin, but the rest of the circuit is quite slow. I have usually had good races there in the past so I am looking forward to it. The atmosphere is always pretty laidback too."

Jacques Villeneuve - Results for French GP:

YEAR	QUAL	RACE	COMMENTS
2003	12	9	-
2002	13	DNF	Engine
2001	10	DNF	Engine
2000	7	4	-
1999	12	DNF	Spun Off
1998	5	4	-
1997	4	4	-
1996	6	2	-