Villeneuve disappointed not to be on the grid

RichardsF1    Formula 1     Jacques Villeneuve, Stefan GP

Jacques Villeneuve’s hopes of another F1 comeback have been killed off with the FIA’s confirmation that Stefan GP will not be granted an eleventh-hour admission on to the 2010 grid.

The 1997 champion was on the verge of signing a deal with Stefan GP that – subject to its entry being granted – would see the French-Canadian return to the F1 fold for the first time since the 2006 season when he drove for BMW Sauber.

"Of course it’s disappointing," Villeneuve told SPEEDTV. "The car and team looked very promising, but we always knew there was a risk without having the entry, and it was running late. So it’s not a full surprise, but it’s still disappointing.

"There was a lot of potential with the car. It was built and it was a full-blown project. It wasn’t something started from scratch, and it was going to be competitive. It’s a shame because it would have been a new team which could have run properly, but that’s the way it is."

Although Villeneuve won’t be on the grid in Bahrain next week he remains hopeful that another opportunity may arise in the near future. "Who knows, there might be some driver changes during the year, as the teams are not all fully secure. And there’s still 2011," he said.

Keep hoping, Jacques!