Villeneuve open to F1 return

[Alianora La Canta]

JV wasn't retained by Renault when he was hires to fill in for Trulli. {Dare - 3 comments ago}

To be fair, that was because JV had signed for Sauber for 2005 24 hours after signing for Renault for the end of the 2004 season. Though whether either team would have bothered had they known his performance in the Renault is another question entirely...

[cosworth151]

At best, JV might find a home at one of the new teams. They might be looking for an experienced driver at a bargain price.

The powers-that-be at USF1 are far too knowledgeable to seriously look at Danica Patrick. While she can turn in a competent performance n an oval, given a vastly superior car, she doesn't do at all well on road courses. The team will also need a driver who will work full time on the development of the car, not an arrive-and-drive who shows up for race week-end and then disappears.

[Scott]

At best, JV might find a home at one of the new teams. They might be looking for an experienced driver at a bargain price.

You aren't talking about JV if you are talking about a bargain price.  Money was what he has always been about.

[Jericoke]

At best, JV might find a home at one of the new teams. They might be looking for an experienced driver at a bargain price.

You aren't talking about JV if you are talking about a bargain price.  Money was what he has always been about.

It's conceivable that he's changed, and genuinely misses being in the F1 cockpit.

I wonder if he might actually partner with a new team to become a pay driver?

[Monty]

Sorry to be boring but shouldn't we look at the facts?
If USF1 are serious about F1 taren't they going to need a driver who knows the tracks. Most of the tracks JV knew have gone. Danica doesn't know any of them and simply doesn't have the talent to learn the tracks at the same time as learning to drive an F1 car.
There are some young Americans in European feeder series (can't remember any names at the moment but I'm sure there are) so USF1 could get a cheap young gun with a US or Canadian passport who would know the tracks. However, if I was starting a new team I think I would try to get one of the test drivers from one of the 'big' teams. Imagine the information they could bring.

[Jericoke]

Sorry to be boring but shouldn't we look at the facts?
If USF1 are serious about F1 taren't they going to need a driver who knows the tracks. Most of the tracks JV knew have gone. Danica doesn't know any of them and simply doesn't have the talent to learn the tracks at the same time as learning to drive an F1 car.
There are some young Americans in European feeder series (can't remember any names at the moment but I'm sure there are) so USF1 could get a cheap young gun with a US or Canadian passport who would know the tracks. However, if I was starting a new team I think I would try to get one of the test drivers from one of the 'big' teams. Imagine the information they could bring.

I don't know that the test drivers are as valuable now as they were even a few years ago, which is a shame.  I thought that was a great way to develop talent who really understood F1 before getting into a real race.

I'm sure the new teams will have a lot of philosophies regarding drivers.  Of course, the number of established teams sticking around will affect which veteran talent is available.

Nakajima might be the man most familiar with the tracks!

[cosworth151]

Nakajima might be the man most familiar with the tracks!

He certainly knows the Armco, walls, barriers and gravel traps better than about anyone else around! 

[Dare]

Nakajima might be the man most familiar with the tracks!

He certainly knows the Armco, walls, barriers and gravel traps better than about anyone else around! 

People mention a American driver for USGP and
then say JV would be a good fit,only problem with
that is Canada isn't in the US.

[Chameleon]

Nakajima might be the man most familiar with the tracks!

He certainly knows the Armco, walls, barriers and gravel traps better than about anyone else around! 

People mention a American driver for USGP and
then say JV would be a good fit,only problem with
that is Canada isn't in the US.

It is, however, in America.

[Dare]

Nakajima might be the man most familiar with the tracks!

He certainly knows the Armco, walls, barriers and gravel traps better than about anyone else around! 

People mention a American driver for USGP and
then say JV would be a good fit,only problem with
that is Canada isn't in the US.

It is, however, in America.

North America :Dso is Mexico

[Willy]

As far as USGP,no way.What scares me is USGP will
hire Patrick for her sponsors and publicity and surely
not her driving skills,the same as Andretti Green,

The day Danica Patrick starts an F1 race as a driver will be the last day I watch a Formula One race.

Does anyone actually think that she got where she is because of her driving skills?

[Dare]

Couldn't agree more Willy.Her first year at Indy
when everyone raved about her driving she
should have been disqualifyed for recklaess
driving.Ask Enge and Scheckter,she ended their
races

[Chameleon]

Nakajima might be the man most familiar with the tracks!

He certainly knows the Armco, walls, barriers and gravel traps better than about anyone else around! 

People mention a American driver for USGP and
then say JV would be a good fit,only problem with
that is Canada isn't in the US.

It is, however, in America.

North America :Dso is Mexico

Well, you said an American driver.  Strictly speaking, that would include Central and South America which kinds extends USF1's options a little. 

Of course, we all know that USF1 really mean a Statesider when they say "American".

[lkjohnson1950]

If I had a choice, I'd say sure give a young American a shot, but I still think they need someone with experience to develop the car, especially with the limits on testing now. I never thought JV was a good test driver, but I would look hard at de la Rosa if he's available.

Lonny

[Dare]

Personally I think USGP should get the best driver available
regardless of nationality.How longs it been since Ferrari has
had a Italian driver[test drivers excluded]