Expectations were high for the Villeneuve/Durango F1 project even when FIA decided not to inculde a 13th team in the grid for the 2011 season. but after failing to purchase an existing F1 team entry, former ex wordl champion Jacques Villeneuve has now admitted that he has given up on trying to get back into F1.The 1997 world champion had been pushing hard for a return to the F1 grid in recent years, and was lined up for a seat with the Stefan GP, if team had it been given an entry this year.
He then attempted to put together his own team in association with Italian former GP2 outfit Durango, but the FIA decided that none of the 2011 aspirants met its viability criteria and that the grid would therefore stay at 24 cars.
Villeneuve told BBC Radio Five Live of his F1 hopes.
"It looks quite dim right now. We worked hard on it this year, to come back and build a team. That was the easiest way. But then it didn't work out, so I think it's time to not bother looking at F1 anymore. We had the budget to build a team and you can only hang on to that for a certain time, and then people get bored and move on to something else. It was a lot of work and we concentrated only on that. All the other stuff we're doing took to the backburner, like NASCAR. I think it's time to just focus on one thing."
Although Villeneuve contested the V8 Supercar event in Surfers Paradise, Villeneuve said his priority was now to build a career in NASCAR, where he has competed occasionally since 2007.
"I've been working mainly on NASCAR, doing a few races, and it's been fun. Mostly on the road courses. They're fun cars. Last week I was in Australia doing a V8 race and that was interesting, but right now my focus is on NASCAR."
