Villeneuve says 'no' to podium interview job
Sep.1 - Jacques Villeneuve says he has repeatedly turned down offers to conduct the post-race interviews on the F1 podium.
The 1997 world champion attends grands prix as a television pundit for Italian television.
But unlike other drivers who do the podium interviews, the 46-year-old Canadian says he is not officially retired.
"When you get this kind of request, you are a driver who no longer races -- a 'has-been'. But I'm not there yet. Not yet," he told Le Journal de Montreal newspaper at Monza.
"I'll leave it to the others."
However, Villeneuve did accept a request to drive F1's official two-seater 'F1 Experiences' car at Monza, with the programme run by Paul Stoddart and Mike Gascoyne.
"I agreed because it's Monza -- the temple of speed. It's a circuit I've always loved and it's so rich in history," Villeneuve said.
He said he has not forgotten how to drive an F1 car at speed.
"No, you don't lose it," said the former Williams and Honda driver.
"You get to the first corner and know exactly what to do. I admit to having some nausea because my ears are no longer used to the acceleration.
"The engine is 880 horse power so it's amazing, and the steering and the braking are very precise too -- it's great," Villeneuve added.
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Jacques Villeneuve is one my favourits, alongside with Juan pablo Montoya. Both of them have always been fearles and brutal drivers.
I'd say that season 2000 was the Best of Villeneuve. Honda had built very powerfull and strong V10-engine for BritishAmericanRacing, but the team failed with the car big time. However, J.V. managed few times to give hard time to McLaren and Ferrari drivers wich was awsome.
I hope the canadian will return in Indy 500 once again. He is an open wheel driver, no question about that. i also like to see another canadian there, Paul Tracy.
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