The son of a motorsport legend, a racer since childhood, Formula 1 was Jacques Villeneuve’s destiny. In 1996, the young Canadian arrived at his first Grand Prix and immediately proved he belonged there by taking pole position.
In his rookie season Villeneuve won races, went wheel-to-wheel with Michael Schumacher and took Williams teammate Damon Hill to a final race title-decider. 30 years on, he sits down with Tom Clarkson to remember how he shook up the sport.
Jacques explains why he left IndyCar as reigning champion to join Williams in Formula 1, and how racing on ovals influenced how he drove Grands Prix. He talks about working with race engineer Jock Clear, and experimenting with his throttle pedal and steering wheel paddles to find extra performance.
Tom asks Jacques about the highlights of his first year in F1: his first pole position, his first race win and the spectacular pass he made on Michael Schumacher – an overtaking move still regarded as one of the best in F1 history.
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34 Comments
Why does Jacques look like Mrs. Doubtfire ?
Jacques idgaf what you think Villeneuve. Dudes a legend. Him, JPM, Tom Kendall and Robby Gordon were my racing idols.
He is one of the F1 driver i prefer to listen talking !
35:06 Williams’s first podium in ‘98 was Frentzen with 3rd in Australia…
I still remember the race where Schumacher tried to bump Villeneuve off the track…
"That didn't work, Michael. You hit the wrong part of him, my friend."
I’m still a huge Schumacher fan 🎉
jacques villeneuve is such a corndog.
I love Jacques, but who sold him the ladies glasses?
my 9 yr old sister has the same eye glasses
Fantastic interview. Jacques achieved so much and yet, it feels like so much more was left on the table.
What does he mean by pedal flags ?
why is he doing a Briatore cosplay
Not scared of Schumacher. Shame he wasn't scared of any other leading competitor he raced again and lost against post 1997
Thanks for all the ads Formula 1. Put more in, why not? Gives us time to check our batteries are charged up
Man he looks old!!
Villeneuve's Indy 500 win, in which he overcame a 2-lap penalty, is one of the greatest motorsports performances — ever. I feel it doesn't get the attention it deserves.
Super years, 1997 to 1997!
Just another fake World Champion. What's to be proud of I don't know but one thing is sure: he is just the Son not the Father. He wasn't afraid, what a BS. Benefitted from the best car at the moment and did work. After that nothing worked anymore cause he wasn't the real deal never.
He destroyed Schumacher
Hey Jacques, my grandma wants her glasses back.
Only 74k views. Not many care what JV thinks 😅
did he steal grandma's glasses ?😅
please upload the cooldown room program here i really want to watch brando badoer
Just great. We need more interview with him, please 😊 nice to listening about old days by his view
Watching that Championship run as a teenager was incredibly exciting.
Why is he wearing my grans glasses?
Active suspension made u a cheap champion 😂
Nice to see Villeneuve back with the iconic blonde hair. That whole style was a vibe.
Always had respect for and related to JV
Excellent interview and always great to hear from JV and his perspectives and experience
The better Canadian F1 driver is Lance Stroll. Hands down. I don’t even know this Villeneuve guy.. sheesh
Jacques is cool
Fantastic interview! Love all the little details that Jacques shared about how ge set up the cars to work better for him. F1 needs Villenvue more involved in the public and in air during race days
Nice to see Queen Elizabeth doing well
El sobrepaso en Estoril 1996 a Schumacher no se me va a borrar jamas de la memoria, que imagen