JV confirmed in 2nd BMW seat

[Super Tourer]

http://www.f1racing.net/en/news.php?newsID=104372

The team today finally announced Villeneuve will officially line up alongside Nick Heidfeld for the BMW Sauber team in 2006.

BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen explained: "We took a close look at Jacques' performance level at the end of last season. After an extremely tough first half of the year - which showed that even a former World Champion cannot come back after a period away and be competitive from day one - he got closer and closer to his team-mate over the second half of the season. We are in no doubt that Jacques will make the BMW Sauber F1 Team stronger."

[ASCII Man]

Finally!

[BootsOntheSide]

Not sure it's the right decision, as I've stated several times before, but it remains to be seen how he can do against Nick (who I'd rate higher than Massa).

[Hazza]

Originally Posted by ASCII Man

Finally!

[BertMk2]

Or more realistically:

BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen explained: "We took a close look at Jacques' contract and discovered it was watertight"

[Bononi]

Good for him, after all. A little embarassing for a former world champion, as there weren't good options around. See - I'm not criticizing JV - I'm just pointing out the way BMW put things. I don't think JV is happy with the way things had developed, but at least he has a seat for next year. Having to be compared with every unproven talent, and the odds of a midfield (maybe) team. I'm glad he's a fighter, but for sure he can only drive for his own pleasure, rather than prove the world he can beat every competition in the grid. So, be prepared to have a struggling year, and maybe this time, his last one.

[okeefe]

Alright! Looks as though JV is quite a fine business man as well! I want to look into F1 tickets for his Dad's track in June/06 already! I think the date is close to JBaptiste Day as well - so it would be a race to see for sure!

[Knowlesy]

Hopefully JV can go on to prove he is worth this seat.

[krt917]

I agree knowlesy. JV obviously struggled a bit when he first came back, but his performances definitely improved in the second half of last year. The question, of course, is just how quick can he get? Being partnered with NH will provide an interesting comparison.

[Inigo Montoya]

Congratulations to Jacques for seeing out his contract at BMW/Sauber.

[Born Racer]

Good news for Jacques at last. And the right news if indeed his contract is watertight. The amount of people who gave Button flak on here for getting out of his contract when we see teams trying to do the same thing as regards their drivers (and seemingly getting less criticised for it!) is surprising.

I still think Massa might be better than a lot of people are suggesting. In other words, Villeneuve getting beaten by Massa isn't as bad a performance as some make out, in my opinion.

[Knowlesy]

An employer holds the key to contract resolutions though. Naturally.

This results in less criticism.

If someone was complete rubbish at their job and they couldn't be fired because of a contract, it'd be a sad world.

[Skam85]

Originally Posted by Mario Thiessen

"We took a close look at Jacques' performance level at the end of last season. After an extremely tough first half of the year - which showed that even a former World Champion cannot come back after a period away and be competitive from day one - he got closer and closer to his team-mate over the second half of the season. We are in no doubt that Jacques will make the BMW Sauber F1 Team stronger."

Translated:
"Look, let's be honest here, JV was crap early in the season, Massa smashed him. Later in the year, he was still crap, but closer to Massa.

Kovaleinen was Renault's, and nobody else wanted to drive for us, so we decided to let him prove himself to be slow again next year"

(I am actually a psuedo-JV fan)

Kudos JV for not quitting, and all the best for 2006...

[shambles]

Overall I'm Happy for Jacques. But undoubtedly now the pressure is on - he goes into 2006 knowing that BMW possibly didn't want him there. However, such is the professionalism of BMW as an outfit, I am confident they shall not let this get in the way of thier working relationship.

I hope JV sees sense, and concentrates on what he does best - we as fans, and the media alike need to ease the pressure on him. He needs to show us what he can do.

GO JV!

PAUL

[Raglanparade]

There is a god !!

[topwelshman]

I'd put money on him suprising the whole field, yes he was poor at the start of the seaon but he did improve more than most and with testing and time in the car he will be up there, he was world champion for a reason

[rallycrosscraig]

Thats good news for F1 fans - would be a shame to lose him from the sport, he's still a fighter on the track and off track he's not affraid to speak his mind. F1 would be a duller place without him.
Would have been such a shame if he'd been replaced by yet yet another characterless post-pubescent teenager who's pleased just to be there and has nothing to say for himself.

[Knowlesy]

Gerhard Berger had a lot to say for himself and was full of character.

Should we get him in to replace Nico Rosberg?

[Kirk]

Originally Posted by topwelshman

I'd put money on him suprising the whole field, yes he was poor at the start of the seaon but he did improve more than most and with testing and time in the car he will be up there, he was world champion for a reason

But those in the know are well aware that JV is as fast or faster than anyone on the grid, if the car is up to the challenge. It is incredible to me that Massa's quickness and skill was downplayed by many here, in a feeble attempt to deny JV's real progress in '05.

Anyhow, another page finally turns in JV's tumultuous career. I am glad that he has bit his tongue through all of this and he now gets a real chance to strut his stuff on the track. With Nick as a teammate, and the resources at hand, I look for a progressive season, with a podium or two, not out of the question.

[Knowlesy]

Yes, well we now Massa is fast, in an average sort of way.

Was it so outrageous to expect JV to at least have his measure? No. Did JV underperform badly last season? Without a shadow of doubt.

Heidfeld is way better than Massa so JV has to up his game. He could run Nick reasonably close if he hits the ground running, though it is an outside chance IMO.

Sadly, I fear BMW politics will prove to JV's detriment eventually.

[QuickSilver]

My heart hopes he makes a go of it and my head says he's going to have a tough season ahead. I'd imagine sales of "1001 Excuses for All Situations" will be quite brisk.

[Knowlesy]

Not sure about that, he'll only need one copy.

No need to buy in bulk.

[Kicking-back]

There's realistically no-one immediately better available.

Now its up to Jacques to make himself indispensable.

[QuickSilver]

Originally Posted by Kicking-back

There's realistically no-one immediately better available.

Now its up to Jacques to make himself indispensable.

Too true KB, in the short term JV is the best choice and he's relatively cheap. In the long run, my guess is he's just keeping that seat warm.
-

[bumpsteer]

Exactly K-B. There was no other choice. Who is their avalable who could do a better job? The money it would have cost BMW to pay him off against running a former World Champion was not good business.