|
Jacques Villeneuve had a taste of what it was like to race in F1
during the 1970s yesterday (Monday), when he took part in a
promotional day for BAR sponsor Lucky Strike at the Circuit Ricardo
Tormo in Valencia.
The French Canadian was given the chance to experience an old
Lotus 72D, giving him some glimpse of what it must have been like
for his racing hero father, Gilles, to have competed in this era.
Gilles took part in his first race in 1977.
Dave Charlton, who contested four GPs during the course of 1972 in
the Lotus 72D, was also on hand, as was BAR test driver Ryo Fukuda.
The 1997 Drivers' FIA Formula One World Champion took part in the
following interview at the end of the day:
Q: What was your view like from that car (the Lotus 72D)?
Jacques Villeneuve: Visually you can see the suspension moving up
and down, and you don't get that in today's racing cars! I started
thinking that we were running soft cars (talking about suspension
settings), but in fact we are not running soft cars at all! The view
is completely different because the cockpit is very wide and big,
but once you are on the race track you see the tarmac in the same
way. It is not as different as what I thought it would be.
Q: I hear you did not use the clutch. The gearbox was strong
enough to withstand that?
JV: Yes, that was how I ran in Formula Atlantic and so I left foot
braked anyway. Then it did not seem to cause any problems. The pedal
was a bit strange. I could not reach it! I was stretching and the
tip of my toes only touched the pedal! There was not much time to
change the positions, that is all.
Q: What do you think it was like racing in those days?
JV: Hmm, I suppose it was more important to have respect for the
other drivers in those days, because if you bang the wheels and
touch the wall you are dead! Today no one knows how dangerous it can
be or it could be, so that is why we do some stupid things. There is
no respect between the drivers, that was the good side of this era.
But if I was racing I would be dead by now so...it would not have
been very good for me!
Q: What was your first impression like?
JV: I did not drive hard at all. It was very strange, especially as
the tyres at the rear were so big. I could not reach the pedals so I
did not push. I also touched the rev limiter on the straight, so I
lifted.
Q: Have you ever driven this type of car before?
JV: I have driven some old cars but only for a few laps in Monza
(years ago).
Q: How did you feel? How did you like it?
JV: Beautiful! It is very beautiful, but it is very different.
Q: After having driven so many high tech cars, do you prefer
these old simple cars?
JV: I prefer safer cars! Only because I like taking risks! I always
would like to drive at the limit. The gizmos, you know, make your
life a lot easier to drive, so on the days you feel lazy it is nice
to have those gizmos. It also helps newcomers to come in and become
quick. I like it more when there are no computers and no data
acquisition systems, so you really would work with your feel. That
is the main thing that I find annoying, that is all.
Q: Did you have no interest in taking part in Classic Car races,
like in Monaco (3rd Historic GP of Monaco)?
JV: No, not at all because I would feel too bad if I broke a car
like Takuma (Sato) broke (the Lotus 49B). That would be too
embarrassing, so I don't want something like that. But now he has
had a crash for the weekend, he might be ok (during the GP).
Hopefully.
Q: How did you hear about the accident?
JV: Because Patrick (Lemarie, development driver for BAR and
personal friend of Villeneuve) was driving the safety car! So he
called me on the phone and we were having a giggle. We did not know
if it was going to happen in the 1st session or 2nd session, and we
did not make a bet, but it was no surprise. It was very, very wet
so... But it is very sad for the people, because these cars are hard
you know. They really work on the car, and to crash with a car like
that, I would feel too bad. Even a suspension piece takes so long to
make. I'd rather not drive one.
Q: This car was Emerson's (Fittipaldi)...
JV: When I was about 4 years old, I was a big fan of Emerson.
Q: You have interest in many things, what do the 1970s mean to
you?
JV: 70s....I don't know, I was not really there. I mean I was very
young. Everyone would say they were the good old days because they
only remember the good things of the past. I am sure there were as
many bad things too, but we only remember the good things, so how
about today? In ten years time we might say realise it was not so
good? I don't know, I am not quite sure. Music-wise, I was big on
the 1980s, that was when I started buying music.
|
