AUGUST 5, 2006

Villeneuve off to NASCAR

Jacques Villeneuve could be heading for NASCAR next year, according to a report in the Journal de Montreal newspaper. The story suggested that Villeneuve has already signed a pre-contract with a NASCAR team conditional on him finding an F1 drive. He would spend one season racing in the Busch Series and then move into the Nextel Cup in 2008. The existence of a deal has been denied by Villeneuve but it is clear that there is contact with NASCAR teams. There is very little chance of Villeneuve returning to F1 again.

French Canadian driver Alex Tagliani is also reported to be heading for NASCAR in 2007.