Shades of '77 for valiant Villeneuve
Jacques’ real fighting spirit emerged in his title defence
Formula 1 world champions who arguably drove better in their title defence seasons? As John Watson says: “It’s a good pub debate.” One example that’s almost as intriguing as James Hunt in 1977 is Jacques Villeneuve, inset, in 1998.
The Canadian had famously survived Michael Schumacher’s dastardly swipe at Jerez to clinch what turned out to be (to date) a final Williams world title.
It marked the end of an era. Chief designer Adrian Newey had already defected to McLaren, and Jerez was also the final curtain (for now) for Renault as a factory engine supplier. Villeneuve would still be powered by the remarkable French V10 for his title defence, only now it would be badged a Mecachrome – and without Renault’s development gelt, Williams suddenly dropped into the midfield.
Villeneuve knuckled down but didn’t win a race in 1998. He didn’t win a race ever again. But respect for the Canadian rose a few notches. All year he battled hard for points finishes, scoring consecutive third places in Germany and Hungary, but off the pace of the new world order headed by Schumacher and eventual champion Mika Häkkinen.
Like Hunt, Villeneuve finished the campaign fifth. Also like Hunt, little did we know we’d seen his best. For 1999 he placed his faith in the new BAR team that brazenly predicted great things. If only he’d stayed at Williams for the BMW V10 era that began in 2000. F1’s sliding doors.
