Former F1 champion from Canada says he might make a comeback if a serious offer comes his way.
SINGAPORE: Jacques Villeneuve would have loved to have participated in the Singapore Grand Prix. In fact, the 1997 Formula One world champion is sad that he isn’t here for the inaugural night race of Formula One. “While the concept of introducing new circuits like Singapore is good, the night adds excitement,” the Canadian driver told DNA.
Villeneuve, who is one of the few drivers to have raced in F1 and the 24-hour day and night Le Mans, knows what it means to race in the dark. In fact, Le Mans is even more demanding than a F1 night Grand Prix. “Le Mans was a great experience but very different as we use car lights instead of track lights and the visibility is very poor. It is similar to driving in the country side at night,” the 37-year-old said.
When asked about the effect of rain on the Singapore GP, he said drivers could face some problem. “No one is sure how the lights will work through the water,” he said.
Villeneuve has experienced rains at Le Mans during one of the races. “It was also raining during most of the night and that was very difficult as visibility was very poor and it was impossible to judge how wet was the asphalt.”
Villeneuve is pleased at the way Formula One is evolving through new circuits and night races. “The concept of a night Grand Prix is great. It brings diversity and probably makes it easier time wise for the TV viewers around the rest of the world,” he said.
Villeneuve, who is only the third driver to have won the CART Championship, the Indianapolis 500 and the Formula One World Championship, hasn’t completely ruled out returning to Formula One. “It is not very probable but I would definitely not say no to a serious offer,” he said.
