Villeneuve Confirms F1 Comeback

Jacques Villeneuve yesterday confirmed that he is closest than ever to making his Formula One return in 2010. The Canadian driver is likely to be officially announced as one of US F1's race drivers in the next few weeks, as revealed in an interview with Germany's Sport Bild.

“It is true, I will return to Formula One,” admitted the 1997 F1 champion in the aforementioned interview.

The 38-year old last started a Grand Prix in F1 back in 2006, when he was driving for BMW Sauber. A few days to the season finale, the Canadian was ousted by his team to make room for “new kid on the block” Robert Kubica, and joined the NASCAR series in North America.

However, with the FIA approving the entrance of 3 new teams for the 2010 championship – consequently 6 racing spots up for grabs – it was pretty clear this would be Villeneuve's highest chance of making his F1 return. US F1 was the most likely destination to begin with, as they were searching for a North American driver with plenty of experience in F1. Villeneuve fit the description perfectly.

Although his last win in the championship dates back in 1997 – in his very championship season – Villeneuve cannot be accused of lack of experience. After leaving Williams at the end of 1998, he only drove for underperforming teams (at the time) like BAR, Renault and BMW Sauber (in BMW's early years in the series).

The first rumors about him coming back to F1 racing happened after this year's Monaco Grand Prix, when he started to visit the F1 paddock more often. He argued his sudden interest in F1 by the return of slick tires and reduction of downforce for the F1 cars, which he thought would make F1 races more spectacular.