Jacques Villeneuve Racing Gallery


Looking back at 2003

By Phil Huff (21/10/2003)
January 28 2004

We've taken the very best shots of Jacques Villeneuve in action throughout the year, and present them here as our tribute to the 1997 World Champion who gave up so much to live the dream at BAR, only to see a nightmare emerge...


Australia: Villeneuve struggles to 9th following a comedy of errors at BAR, but the first Grand Prix of 2003 shows that the speed is there...

Malaysia: The distinctive Malaysian architecture provides a dramatic backdrop to Villeneuve's car, but electrical dramas robbed the Canadian of a race.

Brazil: Kept his head while all around lost theirs. The rainstorms of Sao Paulo provided Jacques with his first points of 2003.

San Marino: A competitive run, but mechanical problems strike again. The glorious Imola circuit fails to offer any comfort.

Spain: Catalunya claims another engine, as Jacques weekend ends in smoke. A strong run from Villeneuve proves there's potential, though.

Austria: The incredible mountain backdrop was the only positive point, as electrical problems dropped Jacques down a lap. At least he finished, but a distant 12th.

Monaco: The darkness of the tunnel looms ahead, but there's no light at the end of it. Another failure for Jacques, another DNF.

Canada: The home Grand Prix for Villeneuve, and another early return home. This time it was brake failure that stopped Jacques in his tracks.

Europe: Racing against Minardi's wasn't the BAR plan, but that's what happened. A gearbox failure brought a welcome end to the weekend.

France: A difficult start to the weekend as the BAR cars are impounded, but Jacques stays cool and drags his car to 9th, just outside the points.

Great Britain: An Irish priest tried his best to bring an end to the race, and Jacques seemed to listen. Holding off Michael Schumacher for a while was little consolation.

Germany: An impact at the start meant a change of strategy, but BAR went the wrong way. A solid drive through the trees of Hockenheim went unrewarded.

Hungary: Jacques was the first retirement from picturesque Budapest, and that meant yet another DNF.

Italy: You can breathe the history in at Monza, and that fired Jacques. At last a competitive finish, sixth place and three points. The Autodromo has been kind to Villeneuve.

USA: The rain clouds at Indianapolis hovered menacingly, and dropped the water at just the wrong time. It was always irrelevant, though, as the engine gave way again, the historic banked circuit proving too much of a strain.

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