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Getting to know ... Jacques Villeneuve

Jacques Villeneuve - Biography:

Jacques Joseph Charles Villeneuve (born April 9, 1971) is a Canadian automobile racing driver, and winner of Formula One and Champ Car championships and the Indianapolis 500, the only driver to accomplish all three feats. Early years Born in St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, Villeneuve's father was Gilles Villeneuve, a Formula One driver killed during qualifying at the 1982 Belgian Grand Prix when Jacques was only eleven years old. His uncle, also named Jacques Villeneuve (elder), was a moderately successful driver in American and Canadian road racing, winning one IndyCar race. Young Jacques, following his family's racing footsteps, first competed in the Italian Formula 3 series from 1989 through 1991. In 1992, he raced in the Japanese Formula 3 series, winning three races and placing second in the championship. In 1993, Jacques moved to the North American Toyota Atlantic racing series, where he won five races. He moved to Champcar in 1994, and was the series Rookie of the Year after a string of strong results, including his first victory at Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. In 1995, he won the Indianapolis 500 (running 505 miles) on his way to winning the championship Formula One champion In 1996, he moved to Formula One with the Williams team. His debut was nothing less than spectacular, as he became only the second Formula One driver in history to achieve both a pole and a podium position in his maiden grand prix. He won four races that year, reached the podium 11 times, and finished with 78 points — all rookie records, which still stand today. He finished the season runner-up in the drivers championship to teammate Damon Hill, and helped Williams win the constructor championship by over 100 points. With the 1997 departure of Hill to Arrows, Villeneuve became the number one at Williams, and he responded emphatically by winning seven races on his way to winning the drivers championship and another constructor crown. He finished with 10 poles, 8 podiums, and 81 points, clinching the title in dramatic fashion by beating Ferrari rival Michael Schumacher in the final race of the year. However, Villeneuve's career went into sharp decline following his drivers championship. Remaining with Williams in 1998, he struggled with an underpowered Mecachrome engine, and failed to win a single race. Personal When not racing, Jacques Villeneuve lives in Villars-sur-Ollon, Switzerland. He has, however, remained a Canadian citizen, and has never been married. He appeared briefly in the 2001 Sylvester Stallone action movie Driven as a race car driver. Villeneuve has also been inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame. He is currently engaged to American ballerina Ellie Green. Jacques Villeneuve owns a trendy nightclub and restaurant in Montreal called Newtown, after the english translation of his name, Jack Newtown. It is located on Crescent Street, one of Montreal's hottest nightspots. Formula One career results 1996 — Williams-Renault — 4 wins, 78 points (finished 2nd) 1997 — Williams-Renault — 7 wins, 81 points (World Champion) 1998 — Williams-Mecachrome — 0 wins, 21 points (finished 5th) 1999 — BAR-Supertec — 0 wins, 0 points (finished: unclassified) 2000 — BAR-Honda — 0 wins, 17 points (finished 7th) 2001 — BAR-Honda — 0 wins, 12 points (finished 8th) 2002 — BAR-Honda — 0 wins, 4 points (finished 12th) 2003 — BAR-Honda — 0 wins, 6 points (finished 16th) 2004 — Renault — 0 wins, 0 points (finished unclassified) 2005 — Sauber-Petronas — 0 wins 5 points (in progress)

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