Grapevine: Villeneuve Becomes Tag Heuer Ambassador

Official F1 timekeeper Tag Heuer and 1997 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve announced today a new partnership, which will see the BAR driver become ambassador to the company, in designing, developing and promoting the company's new prescription eyewear and sunglasses.

Villeneuve joins former F1 World Champions who have partnered with Tag Heuer, among them Niki Lauda, Jody Scheckter, Alain Prost, Ayrton Senna and Mika Hakkinen.

"Jacques' character and achievements make him a unique Champion," stated Jean-Christophe Babin, TAG Heuer's President and Chairman Executive Officer. "He is currently the only person actively involved in the circuit to have won the Formula One World Championship title, the Indianapolis 500 and the American CART championship. He is undoubtedly one of the all-time greats."

The company said Villeneuve - who is actually one of the few F1 drivers to wear prescription glasses - will be involved in developing and desiging new models of "Sport Vision" glasses and will also appear in the company's advertising campaign, titled "What Are You Made Of?"

"I am happy to be joining the 'dream team' of TAG Heuer ambassadors," Villeneuve said of the announcement. "TAG Heuer's philosophy has always been driven by a quest for performance and this is what gives them their inimitable status."

Tag Heuer said the 'Sport Vision' eyewear will be made from a combination of titanium, magnesium, aluminum and vulcanized rubber, which they state gives it outstanding ergonomic performance, in terms of both comfort and design.