Villeneuve to race full-time in Argentina

The former Formula 1 champion is considering the possibility of racing the full 2010 season in the Top Race V6, the Argentinean series in which he will be competing for the third time this weekend, driving a Mercedes-Benz. Villeneuve acknowledged that he would love to return to Formula 1, but as of today his chances are slim.

The Canadian driver is in Argentina competing in what is called the "Race of the Year" of Top Race V6. He previously raced in this series last season and this past July, in the presentation in Interlagos, Brazil.

The former Formula 1 champion, who will drive a Mercedes-Benz, like he did in Sao Paulo, recognized that he could compete in the entire 2010 season in this Argentinean series: "It is possible that in 2010 I will race the entire Top Race season. It is very difficult to reach the maximum speed if one doesn't fully know the car and if you are not testing it continually. This is why I would be happy to race all next year and we are already in talks," commented Villeneuve.

Villeneuve has two previous races in Top Race V6: Last year he finished 16th in the "Race of the Year" driving a Passat. This season, at Interlagos, he left the race due to a crash with another driver.

"This is the third time we race in this series. Last year I came here because of the great memories I had of Argentina from my time in Formula 1. I chose Top Race to comeback because it is a competitive series, fun, and with a great quality of drivers."

However, the Canadian confirmed that he still have chances of returning to Formula 1, even though he expressed that these are "Really slim. I'm working on this and will be travelling to Singapore for some meetings, but I'm realistic about my options."

He also made reference that he would enjoy racing in NASCAR, the other World Series that he considers at the standard of F-1. He mentioned like just like with Formula 1, he is also working toward this, but has nothing concrete is on the table.

On another note, he mentioned that he likes Formula 1 as it is, "It is more enjoyable, because it is not as computerized, the contact between the driver and car is greater." Villeneuve also talked about Jenson Button, "He is a great driver and his calm is his greatest asset." He picks his former teammate as the favorite, over Rubens Barrichello, to win the World Championship, the same he won in 1997.

Starting on Friday, Villeneuve will drive a Top Race V6, one of the most important series in Argentina, in which its main quality is that all its car models (Ford Mondeo, Chevrolet Vectra, Mercedes-Benz Clase C, Citroën C5, Volkswagen Passat and Peugeot 407) use the same engine, developed by Argentinean, Oreste Berta. The engine is 6 cylinders, 350 HP at 7000 RPM and it is a Jaguar base.