Jacques Villeneuve Fast in Testing
Canadian Jacques Villeneuve was granted an opportunity to extend his Formula 1 career, when it was announced that he would
partner Nick Heidfeld in the BMW Sauber team in 2006.
The 1997 World Champion, one of only two still in the series, tested the new Sauber C24B with the new BMW P86 engine on Michelin tires quite successfully at Jerez, Spain last week. Villeneuve's 1:18:752 was his fastest lap, and he did it on his 101st lap of the day. In total, Villeneuve racked up 447 km for the day, and the team was happy with the test - noting there were no engine related issues.
For Villeneuve to have a successful year, he will have to be on the pace of Heidfeld and post better results. The first of those two goals will be the harder of the two for the Canadian driver, as Heidfeld is fast, but if history repeats itself, he's rarely around at the end of a Grand Prix.
The
other issue that will probably come up is the Michelin tires. While Michelin has fielded the majority of teams up to this point and Sauber only recently moved over from Bridgestone, most of the top teams are now switching to Bridgestone, now that tire changes during pit stops are allowed again for 2006. The last time this was the case, it was thought that Bridgestone had a considerable advantage. Also, Michelin is expected to be out of F1 by 2008, being that the FIA goes to a single tire manufacturer - so why spend millions on development; unless they want to go out with a bang?
So for Villeneuve to stick around at BMW Sauber for longer than 2006, he really only has to beat one car consistently - Heidfeld's.
Canadian Jacques Villeneuve was granted an opportunity to extend his Formula 1 career, when it was announced that he would
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| Villeneuve tested the new Sauber C24B with the new BMW P86 engine on Michelin tires quite successfully at Jerez, Spain last week. (Photo: BMW Sauber) |
The 1997 World Champion, one of only two still in the series, tested the new Sauber C24B with the new BMW P86 engine on Michelin tires quite successfully at Jerez, Spain last week. Villeneuve's 1:18:752 was his fastest lap, and he did it on his 101st lap of the day. In total, Villeneuve racked up 447 km for the day, and the team was happy with the test - noting there were no engine related issues.
For Villeneuve to have a successful year, he will have to be on the pace of Heidfeld and post better results. The first of those two goals will be the harder of the two for the Canadian driver, as Heidfeld is fast, but if history repeats itself, he's rarely around at the end of a Grand Prix.
The
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| For Villeneuve to stick around at BMW Sauber for longer than 2006, he really only has to beat one car consistently - Heidfeld's. (Photo: BMW Sauber) |
So for Villeneuve to stick around at BMW Sauber for longer than 2006, he really only has to beat one car consistently - Heidfeld's.