Villeneuve Vows to Fight For F1 Title

Jacques Villeneuve has set his sights high as he confirmed on Friday at British American Racing's launch of the 2001 challenger that he will be chasing the title from the first race in Australia.

Villeneuve, who won the world championship in 1997 with Williams, said that he hopes to beat the McLarens of Mika Hakkinen and David Coulthard this season and challenge the Ferrari of reigning champion Michael Schumacher for race wins.

"I wouldn't be racing if I didn't believe I could win the championship and the team wouldn't have me if they didn't think I could do it," Villeneuve said.

"We've got targets for the new season - we want third, and hopefully we can reach it. It will be a big weight for us to carry if we don't get third.

"If you can get third you can then fight for second and from there anything can happen. Last year we were not far off and we will get better this year.

"Last year I drove as well as I'd ever driven and I can go just as quick this time."

Villeneuve added that he would prefer to be involved in a straight fight with McLaren's Mika Hakkinen rather than reigning Ferrari champion Michael Schumacher.

He said: "I would say Michael would be the one I wouldn't want to battle with because you don't know what he is going to do next. Mika will act like a normal human being on the track and you can have a straight fight with him."

Villeneuve was involved in a controversial incident with Schumacher when chasing the 1997 title. Schumacher was stripped of all his points from that season after he made contact with Villeneuve's car when the latter was overtaking during the European Grand Prix at Jerez.

Schumacher crashed out after the incident and Villeneuve carried on to finish third and claim the title.