Jacques Villeneuve,the veteran formula one driver and son of the great Gilles Villeneuve (on whom the Montreal circuit is named), has said that he will try for one last time to secure a F1 seat for the 2011 season.

Till the start of the season he was being linked to Stefan GP who weren’t able to secure a slot for the 2010 formula one season. Since the Stefan GP outfit are trying desperately hard to get a slot for next year, its very much possible that Villeneuve might be able to get a seat with them if he is able to convince them.

“I’m quite happy right now being busy raising kids. I would obviously be happier behind a wheel. Once you’ve been a racer, I think you’re a racer all your life,” Villeneuve said.

“I worked hard on it in 2010. I’m giving myself until 2011. There’s still a few months,” he added.

“The teams don’t want to take a risk. There comes a point where you’ve been out for too long and the teams just won’t give you a chance,” he said.

Meanwhile German rival Michael Schumacher who has had a controversial relationship with the Canadian agreed with Villeneuve.

“I have proved this year F1 is not like football and other sports, you don’t need to be a young age to perform,” said Michael Schumacher.

“The point is, as Jacques was saying, we are racers, and we have that in our blood. So, what you have there, you always keep.” The German ace added.

Mercedes boss Ross Brawn confessed in Turkey that he would like to retain his all German pair of Nico Rosberg and Michael Schumacher for the 2011 season. Pre season speculation had suggested that Michael Schumacher had a three year deal with Mercedes.

However the initial bad performances by Michael Schumacher which saw the relatively inexperienced Nico Rosberg beating him were enough for critics to hint to an early exit for the seven time world champion at the end of the 2010 season. But the speculation about the early exit seems to be fizzling with more and more input coming about Schumacher staying back for the 2011 season atleast.

In Turkey, when asked about the future of his drivers and if they shall be retained, Ross Brawn was quoted :

“I hope so.

“Do you know something I don’t? We’re pleased with the drivers, they’re both enjoying themselves, so yes,”

Michael’s younger brother Ralf Schumacher too joined in on the rumour brigade and was separately quoted as saying :

“I think he’s pretty happy with what he’s doing and, as far as I know, it’s a three-year plan, so I’m sure we’ll see him around for a while”

Meanwhile Michael Schumacher  seems to be finally enjoying the comeback. The German had a small battle with Jenson Button in the Turkish Grand Prix, he spoke fondly about the encounter :

“We saw each other a couple of times this year,” said Michael Schumacher.

“This time he had clearly the better end of it. I was trying my best, but it wasn’t good enough this time. Anyway, as I understood, he had a nice fight with Lewis, so he must have been putting in some very good laps.

“Honestly, I was just trying to focus and do the maximum I could with my car. Forward, there was no chance, obviously. I was watching the mirrors and making sure that I keep the tires in shape so that whenever I had to have some reserves that they are available.” He added.

Now the F1 circus heads to Canada and the German has asked his team to improve the top line speed to ensure a better result. Lets hope Mercedes deliver and its a good result for Schumacher.

Image : Mercedes Media

The last race at the circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal was held in 2008, Robert Kubica was the man of the moment then who had taken the chequered flag. The race was cancelled for the 2009 season after the local authorities failed to reach a consensus with F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone over money matters.

However this year, Provincial as well as Federal governments have pledged a lot of money to get the race back to Canada. A new five year deal worth 75 million USD was signed between the FIA and the Montreal Race representatives to ensure the survival of the Canadian grand prix fixture.

Bernard Ragueneau who is the co-president of the Crescent Street Merchants Association was quoted as saying :

“We should never have lost this Grand Prix in the first place,”

“The Grand Prix needs us as much as we need the Grand Prix” he said.

True we say, the heritage associated with the Gilles Villeneuve circuit is no less than the Hungarorings and the Hockenheims. And now with its return, the Canadian Grand Prix is the only formula one race in North America. Ofcourse the United States is also on a comeback trail as we had reported earlier with the formula one race planned in Austin, Texas instead of the earlier venue Indianapolis.

Ferrari today announced that Felipe Massa’s contract has been extended till the end of the 2012 formula one season. the Brazillian has been with the team for 10 seasons now. He ofcourse was ecstatic about the renewal.

Official Press Release from Ferrari follows :

Maranello, 9 June 2010 – Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro announces that it has extended its contract with Felipe Massa, who will now drive for the team until the end of the 2012 racing season.

Felipe has been with the Scuderia since 2001. To date, he has competed in 69 Grands Prix for the team: he has taken eleven wins, 30 podium placings, 51 points finishes, fifteen pole positions and twelve fastest race laps, scoring a total of 360 championship points.

“I am happy to be given the opportunity to drive for Ferrari for a further two seasons,” said Felipe.

“Throughout my entire Formula 1 career, I have always raced with an engine made in Maranello and it is a matter of pride for me to be able to continue working with a team that I regard as a second family.”

“Felipe has been part of Ferrari for almost a decade and together with us, he has grown as a driver and as a man, going through some very difficult times as well as giving us moments of great happiness,” commented Stefano Domenicali. “We wanted to show proof of stability for the future, believing in the worth of a driver pairing that is without equal in terms of talent, speed and its ability to work together for the good of the team.”

Photo : Ferrari SPA

Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button also came close to colliding at last week’s Turkish Grand Prix, however their incident was thoroughly overshadowed by the one involving the two Red Bulls of Sebastien Vettel and Mark Webber.

As Red Bull PR went into damage control by releasing what seem like canned and cooked up interviews, the McLaren PR seems to have gone into lets take advantage mode. McLaren PR again came out with quotes in which Lewis Hamilton professes his love for Jenson Button. This could also be damage control for a radio conversation that came out on formula 1’s official website.

The conversation goes something like :

After Lewis Hamilton was asked to conserve fuel

Lewis Hamilton says “Jenson’s closing on me you guys”

and asks his team “If I back off , is Jenson going to pass me or not?”

The voice from McLaren replies “No Lewis, no”.

Its another matter than Jenson Button did overtake Lewis Hamilton, Hamilton later regained the lead.

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Read ahead for the quotes :

“Jenson and I both want to win, but not in an aggressive manner. The fighting won’t happen with me and Jenson,”Lewis Hamilton  was quoted

“We got a one-two in Turkey and it was a professional drive from two team-mates. You couldn’t ask for more from a partnership. We are both world champions, we’re both professionals and we both have a huge amount of respect for each other,” he added.

“When I win he is happy for me and vice-versa. Jenson is a great bloke, a very supportive team-mate and he is doing a solid job. It works both ways. I have no doubts that the rest of the season will be the exactly the same,” Lewis Hamilton added

What a mutual admiration society , I can already predict similar quotes from Jenson Button within the next month.