By role
October 28 2004

Renault F1 President, Patrick Faure, has recognised on Eurosport that the choice of Jacques Villeneuve to replace Jarno Trulli was a mistake. The Canadian was called to the team after a 10 month period away from a Formula 1 car, something it proved too challenging for the Canadian. Renault made the change as a desperate measure to recapture second place on the Championship after a series of races in which Jarno Trulli had not scored a single point.

However, jacques Villeneuve failed to score any points also on the remaining three races and BAR Honda finished 2nd on the standing at the end of the season.

"I think we made a mistake, we must own up to it. I think we, both Flavio Briatore and myself, probably under-estimated the effects of a ten-month lay-off - even for a world champion with the experience and talent of Jacques." He said. “To expect him to come straight in and score points immediately was probably unrealistic".

On the view of Faure Formula 1 had changed too much and the Canadian did not have time enough to adapt to the increase of speeds and G-forces.

"F1 has moved on a year. It is faster, the drivers have to cope with even more G-force. Jacques has found out and he's even in great shape! But the ten months he took off made it very, very difficult for him. It has unquestionably not been a success." He added. "I don't think his problem has been re-adapting to Formula 1. I just think that, physically, he needs a few more months of competition to find top gear. He is the first to admit it when we have spoken."