Canadian driver shares insights on his own racing ambitions and Alonso’s departure from Alpine, noting that the team will undoubtedly suffer as a result.
Former Formula 1 world champion Jacques Villeneuve has weighed in on the recent news of Fernando Alonso’s departure from Alpine, stating that the team will undoubtedly suffer from the loss. According to reports, Renault-owned Alpine chose not to match Aston Martin’s offer of a new multi-year contract for the 41-year-old Alonso, citing his age as a concern. This decision has left many fans and experts wondering about the future of Alpine, which has been banking on Alonso’s experience and skill to help the team achieve greater success on the track.
In an interview with Le Journal de Montreal, Villeneuve, who will be returning to full-time racing with Vanwall in the World Endurance Championship and Le Mans, praised Alonso’s impressive performance in Bahrain, stating that his hunger for success has not dwindled despite his age. The Canadian racing driver, who won the Formula 1 World Championship in 1997, also spoke about his own ambitions to achieve success on the track and secure the ‘triple crown’, which involves winning the Indy 500, the Formula 1 championship, and the Le Mans 24 Hours.
Villeneuve, who is now 51 years old, admitted that his ultimate objective is to become the second driver after Graham Hill to secure the ‘triple crown’, which is considered to be one of the most challenging feats in motorsport. While he acknowledged that achieving this goal would be difficult, he stated that he is patient and still has many good years of racing ahead of him. Villeneuve also spoke about his reduced schedule for this year, as he will be working as a television pundit for France’s Canal Plus and competing in fewer grands prix than usual.
When asked about the departure of Fernando Alonso from Alpine, Villeneuve expressed his disappointment and stated that the team would suffer as a result. He noted that Alonso’s experience and skill had been instrumental in helping the team achieve success, and that his absence would undoubtedly have an impact on the team’s performance. Villeneuve also praised Lance Stroll, son of Aston Martin team owner Lawrence Stroll, for his impressive start to the season, stating that he had done a good job in Bahrain despite not taking part in winter testing due to his injuries.
In conclusion, Villeneuve’s comments on the departure of Fernando Alonso from Alpine have shed light on the challenges facing the team in the upcoming season. With a reduced schedule for himself, Villeneuve will be focused on his own racing ambitions, but his insights on the state of the sport and the performance of individual drivers will no doubt be of interest to fans and experts alike.
