Villeneuve Trains Hard for F1 Return

Canadian driver Jacques Villeneuve has not given up his dream of returning to Formula One racing. Having been one of the main contenders for a race seat with Stefan GP prior to the start of the 2010 season, the former world champion was forced to miss his 2010 comeback due to the International Automobile Federation (FIA) not granting the Serbian team an entry into this F1 campaign.

However, with Zoran Stefanovich's team applying for a new entry in the 2011 Formula One championship, Villeneuve's hopes were again brought to life. According to an interview he did with German publication Auto Motor und Sport, the Canadian driver is now training hard for a potential return with the team next year.

“Last year showed that teams change their drivers during a season. And the return of Schumacher and de la Rosa is a sign that experience is appreciated once again,” said the former Williams and BMW driver.

Well, considering how the two veterans he mentioned are doing in the championship, heavy training is needed in order to make sure the 2011 season opener will be tackled with a great physical condition. And Villeneuve knows that all too well, although he thinks Schumacher's struggles in the first 4 rounds of the season have little to do with his age or physical shape.

“Look at hockey. Guys in their late 30s are still at world-class level. It's because we're all living much healthier and have gained ten years,” added the 39-year old racer.

According to the German publication, quoted by the GMM news agency, the 1997 F1 champion “is maintaining his fitness with the help of a bespoke EUR400,000 machine conceived by his famous trainer Erwin Gollner,” and is not ruling out joining the F1 field from as early as this year, in case a certain driver would be cut from his team during the season.