Grapevine: Villeneuve to release new album

Amid the uncertainty of last winter, when he was not sure if he would be retained by Sauber-BMW or not, Villeneuve put F1 to the back of his mind as he spent time in a recording studio in Paris.

The album that came out of that work is set to be released later this year, although the release date and title have not yet been confirmed.

Half of the album is Villeneuve's own songs, while the other half is a mixture of songs written by friends or song that he likes.

One of the album's tracks, a duet with his sister Melanie, is about their father Gilles, who was killed at the 1982 Belgian Grand Prix.

"Everyone sings in the shower, or strums a guitar," explained Villeneuve in a recent interview with Auto Hebdo. "Basically this just goes a bit further, through wishing to and curiosity.

"I have always loved music, my grandfather was a piano tuner, my father Gilles played piano and trumpet, my sister is a good musician too... it's in the genes! I have written music for a long time, and I knocked the dust off this last winter.

"I had some time too. Even so, to record an album in a month is quick. I had to immerse myself completely in the work - even though it was during Christmas and New Year."

When asked what kind of reaction he was expecting from the album, he said: "No idea. I did not record this album to this end but for my own enjoyment, to hear what my songs were like played by good musicians and to put it on disc.

"Sometimes we are proud of a song that we consider beautiful, but will it be accepted as such by others? Friends and family will say that it is great, but for others I do not know.

"Perhaps sporting colleagues will say that I am an excellent musician and singer, while the singers will say that I am excellent driver!"