Press release
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august 10, 2015 - Venturi Automobilies
Formula E - Former Formula 1 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve joins Venturi Formula-E Team
The former F1 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve signed with Venturi's Formula-E Team to participate in the FIA Formula-E season 2 Championship. He will team up with French driver Stéphane Sarrazin. The idea came just after a test day on the track in Le Castellet (Var, France) last week.
Jacques Villeneuve
"It had been 10 years since I had driven on that kind of track with a single-seater, but it's like riding a bike, you never forget. It was real happiness. There was a very good ambiance with the Venturi team and one of the engineers with Venturi happens to be a guy I worked with early in my career. That was great. I was very excited and everything went well. Last season each time I met drivers from Formula-E they were saying it is really a very interesting championship."
In 1996, the year of his arrival in Formula 1, Villeneuve achieved Vice World Champion. The experienced Canadian driver went on to become a Formula 1 World Champion in 1997 and spent 10 years driving in the most prestigious motorsports competition. During his 10-year tenure at the top of motorsports (with Willams, BAR, Sauber and Renault) he took home 11 victories and placed on the podium 23 times.
Jacques Villeneuve
"This is the first time in several years that I will participate in a full championship. I am excited because the atmosphere while working alongside the Venturi team is great and that has a very big influence. Also I know Stéphane Sarrazin well, we trust each other "
Villeneuve will join teammate Stéphane Sarrazin who will participate for the second year on the Venturi Formula-E Team. Sarrazin continues the Venturi collaboration with enthusiasm and determination:
Stéphane Sarrazin
"My wish was to continue with Venturi, so I'm very happy with this situation. We made tremendous progress throughout the first season. Our experience there must be put to good use in this new championship season. We have to demonstrate our capabilities "
The presence of the versatile French driver who also competes in WEC and rally will allow the Venturi team to capitalize on the experiences gained during the first season of the championship. Sarrazin's extensive knowledge of the electric single-seater and its new engine will also prove invaluable to the Venturi team.
Sarrazin was actively involved in developing the new VM200 provided by Venturi Automobiles through several test sessions throughout July. More than 1600 km have been logged.
Stéphane Sarrazin
"The new engine showed immediate reliability. We can say we have a very good package (powertrain / engine). We don't know what the other teams have done but we are assured that our car is very efficient. "
The team is backed by Venturi Automobiles, chaired by Gildo Pastor. As a specialist of high performance electric powertrains, Venturi Automobiles is part of the official manufacturers designated by the FIA for the second season of the Formula-E Championship. The Monaco based manufacturer will supply its own engines to the Venturi Formula-E Team.
Gildo Pastor, Venturi Automobiles CEO
"It is a true pleasure to welcome the very great champion Jacques Villeneuve. He is the first Formula 1 World Champion to join #formulae as a driver. In addition to his 1997 title and his numerous victories in F1, no one has forgotten his victory in the Indianapolis 500 or in the IndyCar World Series. "He grew up in Monaco, we crossed paths so many times in childhood, so he will be at home with Venturi. I am very happy with the experienced and talented duo of Jacques and Stéphane."
Venturi Automobiles engineers will be in Donington Park (England) for the official test sessions organized by Formula-E beginning August 10.
August will be particularly busy for Venturi Automobiles. The company holds the FIA world speed record for electric vehicles at 495 kph / 307 mph (2010) and will be attempting to establish a new electric world speed record starting August 17th on the Bonneville Salt Flats (Utah, USA) with the Venturi VBB-3 a 3000cv vehicle.
The second season of the FIA Formula-E Championship will begin in Beijing October 16th. Like last season, there will be 10 races around the world in Asia, South America, North America and Europe.
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