Renault admits to JV mistake

Just 24 hours after the French-Canadian admitted himself that making a return at the end of this season has been useful because it has got him up to speed ahead of his switch to Sauber next season, Renault car boss Patrick Faure has said Villeneuve's comeback was not a success.

"I think we made a mistake, we must own up to it," Faure told the Eurosport television channel. "I think we, both [Renault boss] 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. To expect him to come straight in and score points immediately was probably unrealistic.

"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."

Faure explained that part of Villeneuve's problem was not the fact that he lacked talent but that his time away from F1 had left him rusty compared to other drivers.

"I don't think his problem has been re-adapting to Formula 1, " continued Faure. "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."

Renault signed Villeneuve in the hope that he would help the team beat BAR to second place in the constructors' championship but his failure to score any points meant the team eventually finished third overall.