The organizers of the Canadian Grand Prix marked Friday the 25e anniversary of the world title of Jacques Villeneuve. Accompanied by his spouse Giulia and their son Gilles, Villeneuve received from the promoter François Dumontier a cake decorated with some photos of his exploits.
Posted at 4:15 p.m.
“Time has passed so quickly; for me, it’s like it was yesterday, maybe because I continued to drive, “said the man who is now a commentator on French television in a press briefing. “These are obviously great memories, although I probably didn’t realize at the time what it meant. »
Photo Marc Delbes, The Canadian Press
Jacques Villeneuve, his spouse Giulia and their son Gilles
With seven victories in 1997, in his second season in F1 only, Villeneuve snatched the world title at the last event of the season, in Jerez in Spain, after a final battle between his Williams and the Ferrari of his rival Michael Schumacher. Villeneuve remains to this day the only Canadian driver to have been world champion.
Although he was never able to repeat his successes thereafter, the driver continued in F1 until 2006 – with BAR, Renault, Sauber and BMW – before continuing his career in other series. Already winner of the Indianapolis 500 in 1995, before entering F1, Villeneuve then raced in prototype sports (notably at the 24 Hours of Le Mans), in the NASCAR series and in other events.
His strong opinions sometimes embarrassed him, but he always assumed it with aplomb, as he did on the track. And it’s the same man who spoke to reporters on Saturday.
Renewed interest
Twenty-five years after his title, Villeneuve takes a positive look at the evolution of F1. “There have been good and less good since my departure, but I find that amateurs are really pampered by the current Grands Prix, he estimated. There are great fights between the drivers, at all levels, and the races are really spectacular. We see that there is a renewed interest in F1, and it is very positive. »
Well aware of the current issues of the World Championship, Villeneuve commented on the recent intervention of the FIA in the matter of “porpoising”.
It was already very hard physically in my time, when we sat directly on the bottom of the car and received an electric shock in the spine every time the shell touched the track.
Jacques Villeneuve
“Today, the problem is more that the cars jump from behind. In the long run, it must cause discomfort, but also nausea; like someone who goes to a merry-go-round in La Ronde after eating a poutine…”
Unsurprisingly, Villeneuve is a little surprised by the intervention of the FIA: “The rules are the same for everyone. It’s up to the teams to find the solution, and so much the worse for those who don’t. I also find it ironic to see that it was the team that complained the most [Mercedes] which is likely to be the most penalized by the new rules. »
A possibility that obviously does not displease him.