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Canadian, Jacques Villeneuve, the 1997 Formula 1 World Champion, has decided to give his career a new swing. This season, he will race against his former BAR Formula 1 teammate, Olivier Panis, in the French GT Championship.
Last winter, Villeneuve confirmed to Auto123.com that he had sold -- or was in the process of selling -- his property located in Quebec, and that his family was going to live in Europe.
The winner of the 1995 Indianapolis 500 is now the teammate of Eric Cayrolle in the French GT series, driving a Ferrari F458 Italia for Sport Garage of Christian Petit.
“I did some ice racing with Sport Garage [in the Andros Trophy], and [team boss] Christian Petit told me about the possibility of racing in the French GT series,” Villeneuve said.
“I really enjoy working with this team. The Ferrari F458 is a good car, Eric Cayrolle is a good teammate and finally we are supported by national and international partners. It is a very professional project. I also had the opportunity to work alongside the engineer I had in ice racing. That's crucial for me,” Villeneuve explained.
Villeneuve also explained how he decided to close the NASCAR book to focus on GT racing: “I contested one GT race last year in Baku. The cars were pretty similar to the French series' cars, and I have some experience in endurance racing from Le Mans,” Villeneuve added.
“I know the two drivers must be well balanced. It's important for me to be able to rely on my teammate, and I think it will be the case with Eric Cayrolle. When it's just a one-off race for fun, like in Baku, it's a different story,” Villeneuve explained.
The Canadian is happy to (finally) drive a Ferrari -- and a red one! -- despite the fact that it is not a Formula 1 car.
“For me, the most important thing is to be driving a fast car! Yes, it is stimulating to be driving for a car manufacturer such as Ferrari. The only Ferrari I ever drove in my life was the old F1 car my father used to race,” concluded Villeneuve.
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| Olivier Panis, Hugues de Chaunac, Jacques Villeneuve. (Photo: DPPI) |
Last winter, Villeneuve confirmed to Auto123.com that he had sold -- or was in the process of selling -- his property located in Quebec, and that his family was going to live in Europe.
The winner of the 1995 Indianapolis 500 is now the teammate of Eric Cayrolle in the French GT series, driving a Ferrari F458 Italia for Sport Garage of Christian Petit.
“I did some ice racing with Sport Garage [in the Andros Trophy], and [team boss] Christian Petit told me about the possibility of racing in the French GT series,” Villeneuve said.
 |
| Photo: DPPI |
“I really enjoy working with this team. The Ferrari F458 is a good car, Eric Cayrolle is a good teammate and finally we are supported by national and international partners. It is a very professional project. I also had the opportunity to work alongside the engineer I had in ice racing. That's crucial for me,” Villeneuve explained.
Villeneuve also explained how he decided to close the NASCAR book to focus on GT racing: “I contested one GT race last year in Baku. The cars were pretty similar to the French series' cars, and I have some experience in endurance racing from Le Mans,” Villeneuve added.
 |
| Photo: DPPI |
“I know the two drivers must be well balanced. It's important for me to be able to rely on my teammate, and I think it will be the case with Eric Cayrolle. When it's just a one-off race for fun, like in Baku, it's a different story,” Villeneuve explained.
The Canadian is happy to (finally) drive a Ferrari -- and a red one! -- despite the fact that it is not a Formula 1 car.
 |
| Photo: DPPI |
“For me, the most important thing is to be driving a fast car! Yes, it is stimulating to be driving for a car manufacturer such as Ferrari. The only Ferrari I ever drove in my life was the old F1 car my father used to race,” concluded Villeneuve.