Villeneuve Could Test in August, Says Williams

Former champion Jacques Villeneuve could test for Williams in August or September after further talks with the team about a Formula One comeback.

Team boss Frank Williams told local reporters at the Canadian Grand Prix, Villeneuve's home race, that a test was on the cards for the 33-year-old driver who won the World Championship with the team in 1997.

Williams are looking for a replacement for Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya, who is joining McLaren next year, and probably Ralf Schumacher as well.

"We have a list of potential drivers, Jacques is on the list," Montreal's La Presse newspaper quoted Williams as saying.

"There has been no offer and no negotiations," he added. "We are not ready for that. It's a long procedure and we are in no hurry. We will speed things up in August.

"We will have to look at the drivers on our list, decide which we want to test...and after that we will make our decision," added the Briton. "It's a possibility that Jacques will test...if we proceed with Jacques, it will happen in August or September, something like that."

Formula One has a summer testing ban for much of August.

Williams shareholder Patrick Head confirmed last month there had been a meeting with Villeneuve, who turned his back on Formula One at the end of last year after being replaced at BAR by Japan's Takuma Sato.

Still Interested

Williams said there had been a further discussion by telephone last week to tell Villeneuve the team was still interested. He said the first meeting in London lasted an hour and a half, with new technical director Sam Michael also present, and that Villeneuve had made a good impression.

"He's as aggressive as ever," the team boss was quoted as saying, his comments translated into French. "He was very fired up, very determined to get back on the track. It was an interesting meeting."

The Journal de Montreal quoted Williams as saying that Villeneuve's experience would be an asset and save a lot of time.

"Jacques has plenty of experience and I like that," he said. "The fact that he knows the Honda engine and Bridgestone tyres will not influence our decision but if he joins us that will help us."

Williams, with BMW engines and Michelin tyres, have been outperformed this season by Honda-powered BAR.