Canadian Grand Prix Preview: Can Anyone Stop Jacques?
13 June 1997
by
Andrew Frankl
European Bureau Chief
Sunday's race in the beautiful city of Montreal promises to be a
celebration for Canada 's favourite son - Jacques Villeneuve. The
26-year-old is currently on top of the championship table with 30
points, just ahead of double world champion Michael Schumacher who has
26.
There have been some wild rumours in the Montreal newspapers
concerning Jacques. According to the papers the International
Federation wants to ban him from the race because he dared to
criticise next year 's rule changes. It would be a very sad day
indeed if that were to happen. I cannot imagine it as the locals would
probably tear up the track and prevent the race from taking place. I,
for one, would not blame them. There are several other drivers who
feel the same way as Jacques but are afraid to speak up as they risk
losing their jobs.
Anyway, in the meantime all the teams have been testing. At
Silverstone Villeneuve was fastest ahead of the two Jordan-Peugeots
whilst at Magny-Cours-scene of the forthcoming French Grand Prix-the
local hero Olivier Panis proved to be fastest. Sunday 's race will be
run over 69 laps on the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, a distance of 305
kilometres or 189 and a half miles.
The first ever Canadian grand Prix was held at Mosport, Ontario and
was won by Jack Brahma in his Repco-Brabham. His teammate Denny Hulme
was second. For some strange reason there have been lots of 1-2
finishes for teammates, the most recent being last year 's with Hill
narrowly beating Villeneuve. It was also in the Canadian Grand Prix
that we last saw Jackie Stewart drive a racing car in anger. It was
his 99th Grand Prix and he was hoping to announce his retirement after
the next and final race of the season at Watkins Glen two weeks
later. It would have made it a round 100 but it was not to be as he
withdrew from the race following the fatal accident of his teammate
Francois Cevert during Saturday 's practice. The Canadian track was
also the scene of a fatal accident when Italian Riccardo Paletti
crashed into the back of Didier Pironi 's stalled Ferrari and lost his
life.
To end on a happier note one should mention the two truly happy
moments at the Montreal track. In 1978 emotions ran sky high when
local hero and the golden boy of Canadian motor racing Gilles
Villeneuve won in a Ferrari and when some years later Jean Alesi won
for the first and so far only time, once again. This was his 91st
attempt and if he does not pull his socks up there won't be many more.
