The 1997 Formula One champion argued that Stefan GP currently benefits from a stable financial status – being backed by the very government of Serbia, among others – as well as the technology previously used by Toyota. Judging by the Japanese manufacturer's strong few races in the final stages of the 2009 season, the TF110 purchased by Stefan GP could only prove a further development of that point-winning machine last year.
“If they are allowed in, seeing how he's been talking and moving forward even though he didn't have an entry, he is quite serious in getting the thing going. He's done more than some teams (that do have entries). The Toyota car wasn't a bad car last year and it has been developed. It would definitely be ahead of all the other new cars,” Villeneuve was quoted as saying to Auto Week.
Additionally, he admitted having some preliminary talks with the Serbian team's boss Zoran Stefanovic, but nothing has been set for a potential contract. First of all, because the team is yet to receive an entry to the 2010 championship, and secondly because there are several other drivers linked with the job.
“I had a chat some time ago with (the team owner) just to find out where everything was at. I'm not involved directly with anything. If it happened I would be very interested because it looks like a serious outfit,” added Villeneuve, who insisted Stefan GP could emerge on top of the new teams even without any prior testing in F1.
The team is yet to announce their drivers' lineup this week, prior to their projected first session of testing at Portimao circuit – due to begin on February 25th. While Kazuki Nakajima is 99 percent one of the team's official driver for 2010, the other seat is still up for grabs. Ralf Schumacher and Karun Chandhok are just a couple of names (other than Villeneuve) who have been linked with the vacancy up until now.
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