Jacques Calls It Like It Is

Mania · 11 Oct 2002, 16:20 (Ref:401212)

Just found an interview Jacques did with formula1.com. Here are some interesting bits..

Q: Now with Honda having streamlined the structure, do you think you can expect a more concentrated effort from them?
JV: That is great. That is the best bit. I am very happy about that because they can concentrate on us. It means that to do the same job it will be cheaper. That means I can do more - because they have the same budget, they can do more with the same budget, so ultimately that will make us go faster. It also means when there are so few special pieces we can have them all. Whereas before we sometimes had to wait so that the other teams could have them. I think it is positive.

Q: Also Geoff [Willis] will have put his people in the appropriate places...
JV: I think that is why we have made progress towards the end of this season, for the first year. I am excited about that, I mean about next year. I really am.

Q: Does it bother you that there is still a story circulating about you racing in the States for 2003?
JV: The story does not bother me, but what bothers me is how the story started. You know, it came internally, trying to devalue me, to make me feel bad and eventually to push me out of the team. After all the hard work I put into the team, I found that very annoying. Very difficult.

Q: But that does not bother you too much?
JV: No, it doesn't. It just lacks respect, that is all. Respect, for me, is important.

Q: You do not let that anger affect you though?
JV: It is not anger. It is very annoying and disappointing. It just takes a lot of energy. You don't want people not to like you. If you feel not wanted somewhere, you don't work well anymore. I think it had a negative effect on a few races during the season. Only because lots of energy was spent where it should not be. We spent [it] arguing....and the effect on the team too. Then they don't work well either. The first time we have a good car [will be] next year. I have been working my butt off for four years, without letting the team drop. I could have easily done it. I could have been very negative with the team. Also with the media, but I didn't, you know? That is why I was annoyed.

Q: However it seems as though it is going to bear fruit.
JV: But the damage has been done. The way people react - they react to perception, that is reality. But the damage is done anyway. I am not talking about the speed, but what was written. It started as a family thing but it is not anymore. When people arrive, they have their own agenda, and it is a business, then it does not matter.

Q: Are you sad that it did not stay as the family affair?
JV: It is not like [that] for racing, but it is for the people who run the team. What was done and accepted in the beginning does not matter to them. That is what I find a little bit unfair.

Q: How are you going to cope with that?
JV: It will not be a problem next year, because I don't have the contract for the year after, so they do not need to try and get rid of me. It is true. I am only the problem for next year, because they have to pay me for next year. And they don't want to pay me. It is clear.

Q: You want a good year in 2003, don't you? In fact, you need a good year.
JV: But they have no reason to make me go slow. Even though it looks like they want the team to be British, Jenson will be the little darling of the team, but there is no reason to make one car go slow. They lose more by doing that.

Q: How crucial is 2003 for you?
JV: It is very crucial because a bad year means I will stay at home the year after. I don't entertain that idea. I want to be racing competitively. I am not ready to stop.

After 97, I dont think anyone could've imagined Jacques having to fight for a racing seat like he seems to be doing these days. Damn unfair if you ask me. If the likes of Trulli and Coulthard can hang on to competitive drives then surely someone of Jacques stature deserves the same.

Jordi · 11 Oct 2002, 16:47 (Ref:401237)

yes... Of course people will say Jacques didn't go to McLaren because he didn't want to, but I'm sure he would have delivered more than DC has in all his years...

Splatz the Cow · 11 Oct 2002, 17:53 (Ref:401295)

I certainly agree with that - and he wouldn't have crashed into the pit wall.

ASCII Man · 11 Oct 2002, 18:05 (Ref:401309)

LOL
That was a good one

ASCII Man · 11 Oct 2002, 18:18 (Ref:401322)

But who would replace Jacques?
Davidson???

Liz · 12 Oct 2002, 02:11 (Ref:401635)

Jacques is bitter, isn't he? And you know what? After the way he and Pollock treated Zonta, it BLOODY WELL SERVES HIM RIGHT!

Wallow in the feeling, Jacques, and think to yourself of what you did to your teammate the whole time he raced with you, and learn something from it.

But wallow in silence and learn your lesson like a man. Ever hear the saying "He can dish it out but he can't take it?"

Let's see if you can eat the dish you cooked.

Valve Bounce · 12 Oct 2002, 05:25 (Ref:401746)

Liz, you are not very happy with Jacques

Valve

Total-F1 · 12 Oct 2002, 21:16 (Ref:402236)

You've got to laugh at JV - he tried to form a team around him like old Mikey but just doesn't have the talent or the the nouse to pull it off!

Jordi · 12 Oct 2002, 22:11 (Ref:402270)

It amazes me a bit... Jacques divides the crowd between those who love him (me included) and those who dislike him just as Schumacher does..

Only that Jacques hasn't tried to win titles crashing.

(Free stab at Schumacher, I know)

neilap · 12 Oct 2002, 22:23 (Ref:402281)

Jacques sounds happy with the direction of the car but wishes there was a different team boss. He does not even say his name. As long as he does his job and pushes as hard as possible that is all thats needed. If qualifying is any indication Honda is getting it together, with a good car I am sure JV and the team will put their differences aside. He already sounds resigned to race elsewhere in 2004.

Bibendum · 14 Oct 2002, 02:05 (Ref:403355)

Phew. Jordi, are you really convinced that DC is no good? I don't think the evidence supports you, there; you're reaching pretty far back for your contra example, no?

I like Jacques, I have to say; as a driver, I mean, not necessarily as a pal. I think he's good to watch. He outbrakes himself in pass attempts, and scrambles back to try again. This is a virtue, in my opinion. When he has a big crash he's proud of it ("My best one yet!") which is...well, ballsy. But I do think he's got a bit of a chip on his shoulder, now -- that "Jenson will be the darling of the team" remark seems like prelude to team disharmony, to put it mildly. Oh well. I hope they drive each other into a higher position.

Wrex · 14 Oct 2002, 02:24 (Ref:403368)

Quote:

Originally posted by neilap
Jacques sounds happy with the direction of the car but wishes there was a different team boss.

Well, thats neither a smart career move or being a team-player is it?

Quote:

Originally posted by neilap
As long as he does his job and pushes as hard as possible that is all thats needed.

Well, no it's not. He could get out and test more, do more PR work to attract more sponsors and more $$$ for developement. He could also race hard at every race, not just when he's 'in the mood'.

Quote:

Originally posted by neilap
He already sounds resigned to race elsewhere in 2004.

He sounds resigned to retirement in 2004 to me.

Liz · 14 Oct 2002, 02:46 (Ref:403381)

Retirement is his only option unless he wants to race in Champ Cars. I am not happy with Jacques and neither is his boss. I'm sure he does not care what I think of him, but he ought to realise that the man signing his pay cheque not only has absolute power over his current career but quite a bit to say about its future direction. Behaving like a teenager who wants to defy his mom is not only bad politics it is bad business.

And it serves him right that his boss despises him. He has earned nothing else.

eatapc · 14 Oct 2002, 14:24 (Ref:403872)

Quote:

Originally posted by Liz
I am not happy with Jacques and neither is his boss. I'm sure he does not care what I think of him...

Ya got that right!

He's still one of the two (or three) best drivers on the circuit. Did you see what he was doing with his car before his engine blew?!!! It would be a shame if he left Formula 1.

The funny thing is that you'd like to see both MS and JV out of Formula 1 for "personality" reasons. Well, maybe it's not so odd, because you're not really a Formual 1 fan anymore, as you've said many times. It reminds me of people who'd like to see Barry Bonds out of baseball because he can be arrogant and obnoxious.

ASCII Man · 14 Oct 2002, 14:31 (Ref:403878)

Barry who?

eatapc · 14 Oct 2002, 14:41 (Ref:403885)

Quote:

Originally posted by ®îjñtjûh
Barry who?

For those outside North America, just fill in another example from your favorite sport -- a dominant player who seems arrogant in interviews and who is accused of being "not a nice person." (I knew I'd get into trouble by choosing a baseball example.)

ASCII Man · 14 Oct 2002, 15:13 (Ref:403913)

But still, i like jacques a lot.
Without him, F1 would only have faceless "politically correct" losers!

ASCII Man · 14 Oct 2002, 15:13 (Ref:403915)

With the exception of Jos next year!

senna12 · 14 Oct 2002, 17:09 (Ref:404030)

I am also hoping that BAR will have a good car next year. I also hope they hire some new programmers. They need to poach Czapski....

If the car is competitive, Jacques will get the job done. I remember reading somewhere that Ron Dennis once said that he would be willing to overlook the business/pr side of things, to get a driver like Jacques on board. I suppose he didn't mean it.

Jacques is just being his usual forthright self. He knows that Richards is/was out to get him, so he's letting us all know that he's not going to play the game next year.

ASCII Man · 14 Oct 2002, 17:12 (Ref:404032)

Damnit, why won't Ron kick DC out and get Jos in his place!

ASCII Man · 14 Oct 2002, 17:13 (Ref:404033)

Or Jacques, doesn't matter which one!

bosch! · 14 Oct 2002, 18:11 (Ref:404076)

JV went for the money, but he's been paying ever since. His careea is over, its just going to take another year to ease him from the seat. I wont be sorry to see him go as apart from the year partnering Hill he has never put in 100% effort. If he wants to be bitter at anyone he might try himself, pollock or Honda.

BAR sh*thouse team. too much money, not enough scence

JohnSSC · 14 Oct 2002, 18:22 (Ref:404085)

eatapc, good analogy! BB started his career here in Pittsburgh and to this day he still gets booed by the "fans" everytime his team comes to town. I consider it a privilege to have seen him play. As a person he's a putz but I don't remember there being a requirement for greatness in a sport to include a charming personality.

Sound familiar? Kinda like castigating certain drivers because they weren't nice to their "seconds." Let's appreciate the driving, not their interpersonal skills (or Schumi Sr's all-conquering lawyer)!

ASCII Man · 14 Oct 2002, 18:52 (Ref:404107)

Baseball is such a boring game...
Even more boring then F1 was this year...

trow · 14 Oct 2002, 19:05 (Ref:404125)

Quote:

Baseball is such a boring game...
Even more boring then F1 was this year...

I had no idea that was possible?

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