JV to test for Williams soon?

[Led ZeppF1]

Martin Brundle on ITV F1 say there is a rumour that Villeneuve is going to test for williams in the next few weeks.

Brundle clarified its only a rumour and not a fact . But, I hope it is true.

[DriverT]

Good luck to him. Should be interesting.

[Peter Mallett]

Originally posted by DriverT
Good luck to him. Should be interesting.

Certainly should be interesting.

[garcon]

For Martin to have mentioned it in commentary as he did, I reckon he must believe the rumour, so it's come from a fairly reliable source.

As Mr Mallet says, it certainly should be interesting. I though Jacques was 'above' doing tests?

[bantam]

It is a fact, its going to happen

[Peter Mallett]

And where is this "fact" to be found as confirmation?

[BootsOntheSide]

A lot of peopel with both JV's camp and the Williams camp seem to feel that this is a fact. Brundle doesn't tend to indulge in idle speculation or half-truths in commentary. It's quite possible that he still has some pace, and a run in a top car with a chance to win races might be the catalyst he needs.

Is it even possible that he could replace Ralf midseason? Ralf has defiantely under-performed, no one is really impressed by him in the Williams team, and Jacques could feasibly be more consistant and less error-prone.

[Peter Mallett]

Well it started off with Martin saying its "rumoured" and in the space of four posts it became "fact".

[garcon]

Well it appears that for many people there is no halfway house between 'idle speculation' and 'fact'.

Brundle said it was rumoured, as I said I don't think he'd have mentioned it unless the rumour had come from fairly reliable (and independent) sources. But that doesn't make it fact, and it won't be fact to me until I read Sir Frank or Patrick Head saying so.

In the meantime, I implore JV fans not to raise your hopes too far in case you're disappointed - I reckon at best he's in a straight fight with half a dozen other drivers for one Williams seat.

And as for JV replacing Ralf mid-season, I guess stranger things have happened, but I strongly doubt it.

[Hugh Jarce]

What's he going to test - their patience and team spirit?

[garcon]

Anyone got a saucer of milk for Jarcey?

[Hugh Jarce]

I'd love one with some Coco Pops - as I sit and contemplate a low-cal sandwich for lunch.

No seriously, I think many will consider JV a liability from a personnel point of view, regardless of his driving skills.

Good teams win, not opinionated individuals.

[esorniloc]

Why should Williams test the guy who ditched them at the end of 98?

They shouldn't even give him the time of day!

[climb]

It seems 10/10 is not the only place where people can't survive more than a few hours without talking about JV

[BSchneiderFan]

Giving Villeneuve a test makes sense, but I doubt we'll see him in a Williams next year. I think F1 may be a closed book for the 1997 world champion.

[DavidStHubbins]

A year off in the doghouse might be the best thing for Jacques.

Apparently (yes, it's rumoured...) he is training harder than ever and still wants to be in F1.

Williams would be very silly to run Dixon or Gene or even Coulthard instead of Jacques.

[climb]

Personally I don't like re-heated soups; therfore I'd rather see Dixon driving for FW.

[Glen]

If they can get Webber I don't think JV has much hope - on the other hand, they will need at least one very strong and mentally tough character... which is one area that JV would certainly score highly in.

[shiny side up!]

Originally posted by climb
It seems 10/10 is not the only place where people can't survive more than a few hours without talking about JV

Yeah, a lot of Verstappenfans around here...

[Wrex]

I have a question. What exactly are they testing?

If he can drive? We know he can drive. If he is fast? We also know that when the mood takes him, he's as fast as anyone on the grid (and faster than most).

If they are seriously eveluating him for next season, then its off to a shrink and charm school. Thats what I would need tested before I hired him.

[slicktoast]

These JVc,JVd rumors/stories just won't die will they?!

[hamsmith]

Originally posted by slicktoast
These JVc,JVd rumors/stories just won't die will they?!

Sorry if i seem a bit dim but what is JVc & JCd

[The Lounge King]

Who knows if it's true or not. It is plausible; JV would leap at the chance. Lets be honest most drivers would. And as for Williams not taking him, well Frank and Potato Head love a racer.

[Don K]

Originally posted by hamsmith
Sorry if i seem a bit dim but what is JVc & JVd

Probably Canadian and Dutch.

But in this forum, we usually mean Villeneuve --not Verstappen-- when we're saying JC.

(Just like we used to mean Salo --not Schumacher-- when we were saying MS).

[Kirk]

Originally posted by Wrex
I have a question. What exactly are they testing?

If he can drive? We know he can drive. If he is fast? We also know that when the mood takes him, he's as fast as anyone on the grid (and faster than most).

Good point. Perhaps after 5 years of driving a truck, FW and PH want to see if JV still has it. They'll likely sign him after the 1st session, me thinks.