Industry Report: Jaguar Restructures, Closes Plant and Kills F1 Program All in One Day

Villeneuve to Exact Revenge on BAR-Honda behind Wheel of Renault

Now that we're talking F1, Canadian Jacques Villeneuve may have the opportunity to exact final revenge over BAR-Honda

Renault has offered JV the opportunity to drive the R24 in the last three races of the season. (Photo: Renault)

team leader David Richards, who dumped the 1997 series world champion unceremoniously last season and made it near impossible for him to find a ride in 2004. Renault has offered JV the opportunity to drive the R24 in the last three races, starting with the inaugural Shanghai, China event next weekend. Villeneuve is motivated by more than just revenge, however, as he is fighting to uphold his reputation as a consummate racer and therefore should put on a good show in a car that is capable of winning races if given the right circumstances.

Fortunately for JV, he'll most likely be lapping the two Jaguar cars, with a frustrated Mark Webber counting down the weeks until he will have the opportunity to drive for a competitive team. No doubt Villeneuve knows the feeling, having had to put up with BAR-Honda's

"Ford Motor Company have decided it can no longer make a compelling business case for any of its brands to compete in Formula One." (Photo: Jaguar Canada)

failings year after year, and then getting the boot just as the team was starting to get competitive.

So what will happen to Jaguar's F1 efforts? According to Jaguar and Land Rover Chairman, Joe Greenwell, Ford wants to sell the team, which most likely means fans of the cat will have only three remaining races to enjoy seeing their brand in the world's premier motorsport series.

Greenwell commented, "After a thorough review over many months, Ford Motor Company have decided it can no longer make a compelling business case for any of its brands to compete in Formula One."