Villeneuve: “Alonso can win F1 again”

Next October 26 will be the 25th anniversary of achieving the F1 world title by Jacques Villeneuvewho managed to capture the crown in the final round of the championship in 1997. In honor of that victory, now the Canadian is back on the track Monza beside Fernando Alonso and the team Alpine who will ride in the Asturian’s car from 2021 in tribute to the title he won with a Williams, powered by a motor Renault. before, chatted with dm in Italian GP paddock The last Sunday.

In Sherry in 1997Jacques came in with 77 points, one less Michael Schumacher, and both played it out in a race where whoever came first would win the crown. It is only the Canadian’s second season in F1, but he is already dueling with a champion like Schumacher, F1’s new star, who is living his second year at Ferrari. Jacques’ pulse never wavered and he took pole position ahead of Michael Schumacher, 1st and 2nd in a head-to-head that would decide the title. The tension is at its highest. From there would emerge one of the most famous images in F1 history, the accident between the ‘Kaiser’ and the Canadian, which ended with Michael on the gravel and out of the championship, while Villeneuve would become the new champion. 25 years later, he still remembers the incredible feeling of finishing a stressful course with a title. Confirmed this with MD.

This Wednesday he will experience a very special day, driving the Alpine A521, Alonso and Ocon’s racing car from last year in F1. What is the feeling?

It’s beautiful! It’s unbelievable. The cars were also going faster than what I was driving. They do the same time every lap but with 40 km/h less on the straight, so they do it every time in the corner and that’s something amazing. In addition, in Formula 1 I was a teammate of Alonso when I competed in three races with Renault in 2004 (China, Japan and Brazil, where he added two tenth places and an eleventh). It’s a great thing because I’ll be with him on the day I get on the A521 too.

You will be driving a car that is, among other things, faster and safer than the ones you drive.

Well… yes, it’s safer, but I’ll come back to it a few times, it’s something more mediatic. But yes it’s a real car and I can still push it.

What is your best memory from your 1997 championship?

Without a doubt, Jerez (European GP), where I took the championship in the last race. When the work of a whole season comes to an end and you risk everything on one card in the last race, and even more so after a very difficult year, the energy and how you feel when you achieve it is incredible. I will not forget.

Who do you see yourself looking at the most out of all the drivers on the current F1 grid?

It is very difficult. I can’t tell you anything because the atmosphere has completely changed. Now they make a lot of simulators, they give a lot of importance to social networks and everything is very different. So it’s very difficult to tell you what they are and how they work.

Do you like this new prototype of the current pilot? More open to people through social networks, many of them love directing video games, etc.

I don’t know, it’s different… but there is one thing that surprised me especially: there are many drivers who never won a race but are considered stars. This is something unique. In my time, in the past, if you did three bad races you went home. And now…. One, two, three, four and even five years stay here despite the mistakes. But hey, it’s normal for things to change. We think the past is always better, but only the memories are better.

How does it feel to be in Monza, a historic place?

I started my career here in Italy, in Formula 3, in 1989, so I spent a lot of time in Italy and Monza. This is a special track. And on top of that, the ‘tifosi’ are awesome. I also experienced the feeling of such an audience in Indianapolis and that is why it is a very important place for me.

What do you think of Fernando Alonso and his signing with Aston Martin?

Very good. He did a good job because he was going to leave for two or three years to build something beautiful. They gave him a long-term contract, they had money and Stroll (Lawrence, the owner) was a magician of image and of creating great expectations. Now we are all waiting to find out if they were able to push the car forward and take steps forward with Alonso pushing.

Can you see Alonso winning with Aston Martin?

And why not? Who knows? It cannot be denied. You will pass. Fernando maintains the capacities, the determination and the desire necessary to be successful. But then it depends on how the equipment works. I am sure he will push the team.

Fernando is 41 years old and in top form. It looks like he can run as long as he wants.

Yes, he can run as long as he wants because he keeps that desire.

How do you see Carlos Sainz?

He is a very strong rider, very focused, fast and has everything to be a champion in the future. The elements that it brings together indicate this, but then it is necessary to see how the team policy works. But without a doubt, he deserves to drive for Ferrari and he’s very good at it.

Thank you very much for your time.

Thank you