Editing Jacques Villeneuve (section)

==Formula One career==
===Williams (1996–1998)===
In early 1995, the [[Williams Grand Prix Engineering|Williams]] F1 team and engine supplier [[Renault in Formula One|Renault]] became interested in Villeneuve replacing the outgoing [[David Coulthard]]. [[Bernie Ecclestone]], F1's commercial rights holder, saw this as an opportunity to lure Villeneuve from CART even though Team Green wanted him to remain in America.<ref name=StatsF195>{{Cite web|title=Jacques Villeneuve Chez Williams|trans-title=Jacques Villeneuve at Williams|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/1995/villeneuve-williams.aspx|url-status=live|access-date=3 June 2021|publisher=StatsF1|language=fr|archive-date=June 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210603144901/https://www.statsf1.com/en/1995/villeneuve-williams.aspx}}</ref> Technical director [[Patrick Head]] and team principal [[Frank Williams (Formula One)|Frank Williams]] gave Villeneuve a test in a [[Williams FW17|FW17]] car at Britain's [[Silverstone Circuit]] in August 1995. He lapped two seconds slower than driver [[Damon Hill]].{{efn|Williams issued press releases incorrectly saying Villeneuve was eight-tenths of a second slower than Hill.<ref name=StatsF195/>}}{{Sfn|Newey|2017|p=236}} Negotiations between Villeneuve's representatives in mid-1995 led to Villeneuve signing a contract for [[1996 Formula One World Championship|1996]] and [[1997 Formula One World Championship|1997]] with the option for the [[1998 Formula One World Championship|1998 season]].<ref name=StatsF195/>{{Sfn|Collings|Edworthy|2011|pp=268–277}} He was sent by Frank Williams to cover {{Convert|6000|mi|km|abbr=on}} in testing during the six-month pre-season period testing on permanent European racing circuits,{{sfn|Collings|1997|pp=154–163, 167–189}}{{sfn|Camus|2007|p=187}} and he also prepared by learning the circuits on a simulation computer game.{{Sfn|Sparling|1999|pp=44–48}}

====1996====
[[File:Jacques Villeneuve 1996.jpg|thumb|Villeneuve driving for Williams at the {{F1GP||1996 Canadian}}]]

Villeneuve drove the docile [[Williams FW18|FW18]] car equipped with a powerful, reliable Renault engine and a better [[Transmission (mechanics)|gearbox]].{{sfn|Camus|2007|p=187}}<ref name="Sportsworld" /> Villeneuve built up a rapport with his race engineer [[Jock Clear]] and learnt from his teammate Hill.<ref name="F1R2014Interview" /><ref name="JV2017Interview" /> Although not considered a title favourite by the media,{{sfn|Lecours|1998|p=251}} he contended for the [[List of Formula One World Drivers' Champions|World Drivers' Championship]] with Hill but never led the standings. Villeneuve's debut at the season-opening {{F1GP|1996|Australian}} saw him become the third driver ever to claim pole position on his first start,{{Sfn|Sparling|1999|pp=44–48}} and despite an [[Oil spill|oil leak]], he finished second.<ref name="Sportsworld">{{cite journal|last=Jacob|first=K. O.|title=Born to Drive |url=https://archive.org/details/dli.bengal.10689.11836/page/n1037/|journal=[[Sportsworld (magazine)|Sportsworld]]|volume=17|issue=17|date=5–18 June 1996|access-date=31 May 2021|pages=33–36|via=[[Internet Archive]]}}</ref> He beat Ferrari's [[Michael Schumacher]] in the {{F1GP|1996|European}} three races later for his maiden F1 victory.{{Sfn|Sparling|1999|pp=44–48}} Villeneuve scored [[List of Formula One World Championship points scoring systems|points]] in eight of the next eleven events and won the {{F1GP|1996|British}}, the {{F1GP|1996|Hungarian}} and the {{F1GP|1996|Portuguese}}.{{sfn|Collings|1997|pp=154–163, 167–189}} Entering the season-ending {{F1GP|1996|Japanese}}, he had nine fewer points than Hill, requiring him to win the event and for Hill to score no points to claim the title;{{sfn|Collings|1997|pp=154–163, 167–189}}{{Sfn|Walker|Arron|p=133|1996}} however, Villeneuve's right-rear tyre came off his car, forcing him to retire from the race. He finished runner-up to Hill in the drivers' standings with 78 points in his maiden season.{{sfn|Collings|1997|pp=154–163, 167–189}}{{Sfn|Collings|Edworthy|2011|pp=268–277}} Villeneuve was the first rookie to achieve four Grand Prix victories in his debut year and the first to finish runner-up overall.{{efn|[[Lewis Hamilton]] equalled each of these records driving for [[McLaren]] in the [[2007 Formula One World Championship|2007 season]].{{Sfn|Jones|2015|pp=18, 22}}}}{{Sfn|Jones|2015|pp=18, 22}}

====1997====

[[File:Williams FW19 Great-Britain 1997-edit.jpg|thumb|left|Jacques Villeneuve racing the [[Williams FW19]] car at the {{F1GP||1997 British}}.]]

Before the 1997 season, Williams did not re-sign Hill who moved to the [[Arrows Grand Prix International|Arrows]] team, resulting in Villeneuve's promotion to lead driver. He was paired with [[Heinz-Harald Frentzen]].{{Sfn|Collings|Edworthy|2011|pp=268–277, 316, 320}}<ref name=USA1997>{{Cite news|last=Winner|first=Christopher|date=8 May 1997|title=Villeneuve explores limits '95 Indy champ, Formula One driver embraces speed and risk|page=C8|work=USA Today|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/408736641|url-access=subscription|access-date=9 June 2021|id={{ProQuest|408736641}}|archive-date=June 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210625054043/https://www.proquest.com/docview/408736641|url-status=live}}</ref> He and Schumacher vied for that year's World Drivers' Championship and variously shared the title lead.{{Sfn|Collings|Edworthy|2011|pp=268–277, 316, 320}} Villeneuve trained extensively and drove an aerodynamically efficient and powerful [[Williams FW19|FW19]] car designed around him.<ref name="JV2017Interview" />{{sfn|Camus|2007|p=207}} He won seven {{Not a typo|Grands Prix}} and qualified on pole position eight times in the first 14 races. At the season's penultimate race, the {{F1GP|1997|Japanese}}, he had a chance to win the championship but was banned for overtaking under [[Racing flags#Yellow flag|yellow flag]] conditions twice during practice. He was allowed to race under appeal but was disqualified from fifth when the appeal was rejected.{{Sfn|Collings|Edworthy|2011|pp=268–277, 316, 320}}{{Sfn|Sparling|1999|pp=57–59, 65–71}} Before the season-ending {{F1GP|1997|European}}, Villeneuve had 77 points, one fewer than Schumacher, requiring him to finish in the top six and ahead of Schumacher to win the championship.<ref>{{cite news|title=Schumacher, Villeneuve race to the final wire|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/353061826|work=[[The Kingston Whig-Standard]]|page=30|date=25 October 1997|access-date=3 June 2021|id={{ProQuest|353061826}}|url-access=subscription|archive-date=June 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210607135301/https://www.proquest.com/docview/353061826|url-status=live}}</ref> During qualifying, Villeneuve, Schumacher and Frentzen all set the exact same lap time, but Villeneuve started from pole position per F1 regulations because he was the first driver to set the time. Villeneuve and Schumacher were involved in a collision that saw Schumacher careen into a [[Run-off area|gravel trap]], giving the title to Villeneuve.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1997-10-27 |title=Villeneuve fouled, but takes F-1 title |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/1997/oct/27/villeneuve-fouled-but-takes-f-1-title/ |access-date=2024-02-08 |website=Las Vegas Sun}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=McMullen |first=Jeremy |date=2014-04-08 |title=1997 European Grand Prix: A Page from a Father's Book |url=https://www.conceptcarz.com/a6959/1997-european-grand-prix-a-page-from-a-fathers-book.aspx |access-date=2024-02-08 |website=Conceptcarz.com |archive-date=February 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240208044733/https://www.conceptcarz.com/a6959/1997-european-grand-prix-a-page-from-a-fathers-book.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> Villeneuve became the second driver (after [[Mario Andretti]]) to win the F1 World Championship, the CART title, and the Indianapolis 500. He was also Canada's first F1 World Champion.{{Sfn|Sparling|1999|pp=57–59, 65–71}}

====1998====
Villeneuve threatened to leave F1 and return to CART if F1 introduced grooved tyres and narrower cars for the 1998 season.<ref name="McLean1997Profile" /><ref name=USA1997/> Though these changes were adopted, he remained at Williams with Frentzen. Villeneuve's [[Williams FW20|FW20]] car had one-year old [[Mecachrome]]-branded engines after Renault's withdrawal from F1 after the 1997 season, which transpired to be noncompetitive.<ref name="JV2017Interview" />{{Sfn|Downey|1998|pp=7, 20, 126}} He scored points at nine {{Not a typo|Grands Prix}} with season-high third place finishes at the {{F1GP|1998|German}} and the {{F1GP|1998|Hungarian}}. During practice for the {{F1GP|1998|Belgian}}, he lost control of his car in Eau Rouge corner and crashed backwards into the barrier at approximately {{Convert|170|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}. Villeneuve was unhurt.{{Sfn|Sparling|1999|pp=74–77}} With 21 points, he finished fifth in the Drivers' Championship.{{Sfn|Downey|1998|pp=7, 20, 126}}

===British American Racing (1999–2003)===

Villeneuve left Williams following the 1998 season. McLaren technical director [[Adrian Newey]], who liked Villeneuve's performance and who Villeneuve respected, offered him employment for the [[1999 Formula One World Championship|1999 season]], but Villeneuve rejected it.<ref name=AH2016>{{cite journal|last=Bernard|first=Romain|title=Jacques Villeneuve: "Le respect du risque est quelque chose que j'ai appris de mon père"|trans-title=Jacques Villeneuve: "Respect for Risk is Something I Learned from my Father"|url=http://www.mypitstop.fr/jv-world/AUTO-HEBDO-40ANS.pdf|journal=Auto Hebdo|pages=48–54|language=fr|date=10 February 2016|access-date=4 June 2021|archive-date=June 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210604144755/http://www.mypitstop.fr/jv-world/AUTO-HEBDO-40ANS.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> He instead signed a contract to drive with the new [[British American Racing]] (BAR) team founded by Pollock and [[British American Tobacco]] following their late 1997 purchase of the financially struggling [[Tyrrell Racing|Tyrrell]] team. Villeneuve joined the team because he sought to emulate Schumacher's style of basing a team around him and employing highly skilled people to get from the bottom of the running order to the top.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Hill|first=Matt|date=18 April 2012|title=British American Racing in 1999: Debut Season That Was All Hype with No Results|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1147212-british-american-racing-debut-all-bravado-with-zero-results|url-status=live|access-date=5 June 2021|publisher=[[Bleacher Report]]|archive-date=May 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210526225936/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1147212-british-american-racing-debut-all-bravado-with-zero-results}}</ref>

====1999–2000====
[[File:Jacques Villeneuve 2000 Belgium.jpg|thumb|Villeneuve competing for [[British American Racing]] at the {{F1GP||2000 Belgian}}.]]

Villeneuve was joined at BAR by former McLaren test driver [[Ricardo Zonta]] for most of the season and then by [[Mika Salo]] for three {{Not a typo|Grands Prix}}. His [[BAR 01]] car was efficient and fast but chronically unreliable.{{Sfn|Camus|2007|pp=233–234}}<ref name="ARD1999">{{cite journal|date=November 1999|title=Jacques Villeneuve: Starting Over|journal=Auto Racing Digest|volume=27|issue=6|issn=0090-8029|page=44}}</ref> He failed to finish each of the first eleven races due to either mechanical trouble or crashing.{{Sfn|Edwards|1999|pp=88, 115, 120–127}} Villeneuve was only able to finish four Grands Prix with a best finish of eighth at the {{F1 GP|1999|Italian}}.{{Sfn|Camus|2007|pp=233–234}} Villeneuve qualified a season-high fifth at the {{F1 GP|1999|San Marino}} and was briefly third in the {{F1 GP|1999|Spanish}} two events later before retiring.<ref name="ARD1999" /> During qualifying for the {{F1 GP|1999|Belgian}}, he suffered a high-speed crash through Eau Rouge corner, which destroyed his car but left him uninjured. He tallied no points towards the Drivers' Championship.{{Sfn|Edwards|1999|pp=88, 115, 120–127}}

For the [[2000 Formula One World Championship|2000 season]], his [[BAR 002]] car had a more reliable and powerful works [[Honda in Formula One|Honda]] engine, and Zonta was again his teammate.<ref name="MMagBio" />{{Sfn|Camus|2007|pp=233–243}}{{Sfn|Domenjoz|2000|pp=40, 50–51, 218}} Villeneuve finished fourth at the season-opening {{F1GP|2000|Australian}} and scored two more points by placing fifth at the {{F1GP|2000|San Marino}} two races later. He also finished fourth at the {{F1GP|2000|French}}, the {{F1GP|2000|Austrian}} and the {{F1GP|2000|United States}}. Villeneuve scored points in the final two races by finishing sixth at the {{F1GP|2000|Japanese}} and fifth at the {{F1GP|2000|Malaysian}}.{{Sfn|Domenjoz|2000|pp=40, 50–51, 218}} Overall, his performances had improved from 1999 due to a better built and more reliable car.{{Sfn|Domenjoz|2000|pp=40, 50–51, 218}} Villeneuve  finished the season seventh in the Drivers' Championship with 17 points.{{Sfn|Camus|2007|pp=233–243}}

==== 2001–2003 ====
[[File:Jacques Villeneuve, BAR Honda BAR003.jpg|left|thumb|Villeneuve driving his [[BAR 003]] at the {{F1GP||2001 Spanish}}]]
There were rumours of Villeneuve leaving the BAR team after 2000.<ref>{{Cite magazine|date=29 May 2000|title=No Williams return for Villeneuve|url=http://sl.sports.com/f1/european/290500jacques.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000823170315/http://sl.sports.com/f1/european/290500jacques.html|archive-date=23 August 2000|access-date=5 June 2021|magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]]}}</ref> He talked to Benetton, Ferrari and McLaren about racing with them in the [[2001 Formula One World Championship|2001 championship]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Delbes|first=Marc|date=15 June 2000|title=Will Jacques be in a BAR car in 2001?|page=OD11|work=[[The Hamilton Spectator]]|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/270019260|url-access=subscription|access-date=5 June 2021|id={{ProQuest|270019260}}|archive-date=June 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210625054042/https://www.proquest.com/docview/270019260|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=3 July 2000|title=Villeneuve and Button at Benetton?|url=http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns02498.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050424175414/http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns02498.html|archive-date=24 April 2005|access-date=5 June 2021|publisher=GrandPrix.com}}</ref><ref name=Times2000>{{Cite news|last=Eason|first=Kevin|date=14 July 2000|title=Villeneuve ponders option of taking sabbatical|page=31|work=[[The Times]]|issue=66879|url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/IF0501379417/TTDA?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-TTDA&xid=81453cbd|url-access=subscription|access-date=5 June 2021|via=The Times Digital Archive|archive-date=June 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210625054016/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=TTDA&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CIF0501379417&v=2.1&it=r&sid=bookmark-TTDA&asid=81453cbd|url-status=live}}</ref> Villeneuve later admitted McLaren was not an option since his management team got accused of conducting early season publicity and he disliked McLaren's corporate methodology.<ref>{{Cite web|date=1 July 2000|title=Villeneuve admits McLaren was never an option|url=https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/villeneuve-admits-mclaren-was-never-an-option-5028339/5028339/|url-status=live|access-date=5 June 2021|website=[[Autosport]]|archive-date=June 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210605112738/https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/villeneuve-admits-mclaren-was-never-an-option-5028339/5028339/}}</ref> Villeneuve also considered taking a sabbatical,<ref name=Times2000/> but he ultimately signed a three-year contract extension with BAR in July 2000.<ref>{{Cite news|date=25 July 2000|title=Jacques no-BAR hopper|page=A8|work=[[Medicine Hat News]]|agency=[[The Canadian Press]]|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/other-articles-clipping-jul-25-2000-2488531/|access-date=5 June 2021|via=NewspaperArchive.com {{open access}}|archive-date=June 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210605112732/https://newspaperarchive.com/other-articles-clipping-jul-25-2000-2488531/|url-status=live}}</ref> He obtained a get-out clause enabling him to leave BAR should they under-perform.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2 August 2000|title=Briatore still eyes Villeneuve|url=https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/briatore-still-eyes-villeneuve-5026483/|url-status=live|access-date=5 June 2021|website=Autosport|archive-date=June 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210625054016/https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/briatore-still-eyes-villeneuve-5026483/5026483/}}</ref>

Villeneuve was joined by [[Olivier Panis]], and the [[BAR 003|003]] car he drove was approximately {{Convert|30|kg|lb|abbr=on}} lighter than the 002 chassis.{{Sfn|Camus|2007|pp=233–243}} Villeneuve was cordial with his teammate since they could talk to each other in French, and set himself the goal of winning a race and finishing third in the Drivers' Championship. His car was fairly reliable but lacked rear grip and straight-line speed due to an underpowered Honda engine.{{Sfn|Mansell|2001|pp=60–61, 231–253}} At the season-opening {{F1 GP|2001|Australian}}, Villeneuve struck the rear of [[Ralf Schumacher]]'s car, launching him into the air. One of Villeneuve's car's wheels struck [[Motorsport marshal|marshal]] Graham Beveridge, killing him.<ref name="MMagBio" /> Villeneuve achieved BAR's first two podium results, finishing third at both the {{F1GP|2001|Spanish}} and the {{F1GP|2001|German}}. He finished the season seventh in the Drivers' Championship with 12 points.{{Sfn|Domenjoz|2001|pp=28–29, 50–51, 218}}{{Sfn|Mansell|2001|pp=60–61, 231–253}} Although he scored five fewer points than the year before, Villeneuve qualified higher than Panis eleven times in 2001.{{Sfn|Mansell|2001|pp=60–61, 231–253}}

[[File:BAR 004 Villeneuve.jpg|thumb|Villeneuve testing the [[BAR 004]] car in 2002]]

Before the [[2002 Formula One World Championship|2002 season]] Villeneuve remained at BAR.<ref>{{Cite web|date=26 July 2001|title=BAR stick with Villeneuve, Panis|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/1458141.stm|url-status=live|access-date=5 June 2021|publisher=[[BBC Sport]]|archive-date=October 22, 2002|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021022193248/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/1458141.stm}}</ref> He talked to team principal [[Flavio Briatore]],<ref name="F1R2014Interview" /> who offered him a seat at Renault in lieu of [[Jenson Button]] but Villeneuve rejected it.<ref name="JV2017Interview" />{{Sfn|Camus|2007|pp=233–243}} Villeneuve ultimately opted to remain at BAR due to pressure from Honda, and he again partnered with Panis.{{Sfn|Domenjoz|2002|pp=30–31, 50–51, 148, 218}} He became uncomfortable when new BAR team principal [[David Richards (motorsport)|David Richards]] publicly mentioned that money spent on Villeneuve's high salary could be better used for research and development. The [[BAR 004]] chassis proved to be more unreliable than the year before and slower due to an under-powered Honda engine. He scored four points for 12th in the Drivers' Championship with a fourth place at the {{F1GP|2002|British}} being his season's best result.{{Sfn|Domenjoz|2002|pp=30–31, 50–51, 148, 218}} Villeneuve regretted remaining at BAR due to the lack of results,<ref>{{Cite news|date=18 April 2002|title=Villeneuve fed up, may leave BAR|publisher=[[CBC News]]|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/villeneuve-fed-up-may-leave-bar-1.313189|access-date=5 June 2021|archive-date=June 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210625054017/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/villeneuve-fed-up-may-leave-bar-1.313189|url-status=live}}</ref> and he was offered a contract to join Team Player's in CART for the [[2003 CART season|2003 championship]] before returning to BAR for the [[2004 Formula One World Championship|2004]] and [[2005 Formula One World Championship|2005 F1 seasons]]. The deal was pushed by Richards but not agreed upon because Villeneuve's and Pollock's financial settlements were too great for team owner [[Gerald Forsythe]] to be willing to take on.<ref>{{Cite web|date=27 August 2002|title=Villeneuve rejects Cart return|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/2220045.stm|url-status=live|access-date=5 June 2021|publisher=BBC Sport|archive-date=December 21, 2002|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021221155853/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/2220045.stm}}</ref>

Villeneuve decided to remain at BAR for the [[2003 Formula One World Championship|2003 season]], and was partnered with Button. Villeneuve's [[BAR 005]] car had a more powerful but bulky Honda engine.{{Sfn|Camus|2007|pp=233–243}}{{Sfn|Domenjoz|2003|pp=36–37, 51, 215, 218}} He initially had a poor relationship with Button, not speaking to him and saying that Button "should be in a boy band".{{sfn|Button|2017|pp=165–168}} Their relationship did not improve after the season-opening {{F1GP|2003|Australian}} when Villeneuve was due to make a pit stop but drove an additional lap when Button was due to make his, leaving Button stationary behind Villeneuve. Although he blamed it on "radio problems", Button and Richards hinted their disbelief in his execution.{{Sfn|Domenjoz|2003|pp=36–37, 51, 215, 218}} Villeneuve was outperformed by his teammate and retired eight times due to mechanical faults. He finished sixth at both the {{F1GP|2003|Brazilian}} and the {{F1GP|2003|Italian}}. Before the season-ending {{F1GP|2003|Japanese}}, Villeneuve was informed by Richards he was no longer needed. He was replaced by test driver [[Takuma Sato]].{{Sfn|Camus|2007|pp=233–243}}{{Sfn|Domenjoz|2003|pp=36–37, 51, 215, 218}} He was 16th in the Drivers' Championship with 6 points.{{Sfn|Domenjoz|2003|pp=36–37, 51, 215, 218}}

===Renault and Sauber (2004–2006)===
[[File:Jacques Villeneuve (Sauber) qualifying at US Grand Prix 2005.jpg|thumb|left|Villeneuve qualifying for [[Sauber Motorsport|Sauber]] at the {{F1GP||2005 United States}}.]]

Villeneuve took a sabbatical after BAR released him.{{Sfn|Camus|2007|pp=245–248}} He thought of taking up [[NASCAR]] as a new challenge, but no teams approached him.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Hamilton|first=Graeme|date=13 December 2003|title=Villeneuve looking south for a new ride|page=S5|work=[[National Post]]|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79003838/jacques-villeneuve-nascar-possible-move/|access-date=5 June 2021|via=Newspapers.com {{open access}}|archive-date=June 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210605210156/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79003838/jacques-villeneuve-nascar-possible-move/|url-status=live}}</ref> After speaking to senior officials from BAR and Williams, Villeneuve believed that they would want to resign him to their respective teams, but neither move occurred.{{Sfn|Camus|2007|pp=245–248}}{{Sfn|Domenjoz|2004|pp=28–29, 50–51, 192, 218}} When he realised no competitive team would employ him,{{Sfn|Domenjoz|2004|pp=28–29, 50–51, 192, 218}} he and Pollock met [[Sauber Motorsport|Sauber]] team owner [[Peter Sauber]] in [[Hinwil]] in mid-2004.{{Sfn|Camus|2007|pp=245–248}} Impressed with Sauber's professionalism,{{Sfn|Domenjoz|2004|pp=28–29, 50–51, 192, 218}} he signed a two-year contract the next month to drive for Sauber from the 2005 season and help them attract new sponsors and partners.{{Sfn|Camus|2007|pp=245–248}}

[[File:Jacques Villeneuve Canada 2006.jpg|thumb|Villeneuve racing at the {{F1GP||2006 Canadian}} for the [[BMW in Formula One|BMW Sauber]]]]

Before his tenure at Sauber began, Villeneuve was employed by Briatore to help Renault claim second from BAR in the [[List of Formula One World Constructors' Champions|World Constructors' Championship]] by scoring the maximum number of points in the 2004 season's final three races following the dismissal of [[Jarno Trulli]] for performing poorly.{{Sfn|Camus|2007|pp=245–248}}{{Sfn|Domenjoz|2004|pp=28–29, 50–51, 192, 218}} Sauber was comfortable in letting Villeneuve drive for Renault because both teams used [[Michelin]] tyres.<ref name="F1R2014Interview">{{cite journal|last=Hamilton|first=Maurice|date=November 2014|title=The Maurice Hamilton Interview: Jacques Villeneuve|journal=F1 Racing|edition=United Kingdom|issue=225|pages=92–99}}</ref> Driving the [[Renault R24|R24]] car, he finished all three events but under-performed and was lapped each time. Villeneuve scored no points and was unclassified in the Drivers' Championship.{{Sfn|Camus|2007|pp=245–248}}{{Sfn|Domenjoz|2004|pp=28–29, 50–51, 192, 218}}

At Sauber, Villeneuve used a [[Sauber C24|C24]] chassis and was teammates with [[Felipe Massa]]. A lack of both pre-season testing and money for car development caused Villeneuve to have a difficult handling car.{{Sfn|Camus|2007|pp=249–250}} He did not have a good relationship with the team because he was not allowed to give feedback on car setup due to [[Willy Rampf]]'s influence.<ref name="F1R2014Interview" /><ref name="JV2017Interview" /> Villeneuve finished a season-high fourth at the {{F1GP|2005|San Marino}} and scored more points in eighth at the {{F1GP|2005|French}} and sixth at the {{F1GP|2005|Belgian}}.{{efn|Poor performances in the season's first three races meant [[Peter Sauber]] did not guarantee that Villeneuve would continue at Sauber past the {{F1GP|2005|San Marino}} until his fourth-place result allowed him to retain his seat for the remainder of the season.{{sfn|Jones|2006|p=39}}}}{{Sfn|Camus|2007|pp=249–250}} He was 14th in the Drivers' Championship with 9 points.{{Sfn|Collings|Edworthy|2011|pp=268–277, 316, 320}}{{Sfn|Camus|2007|pp=249–250}}

For the [[2006 Formula One World Championship|2006 championship]], Villeneuve stayed at the renamed BMW Sauber after [[BMW in Formula One|BMW]] purchased the team. [[Nick Heidfeld]] was his teammate. The atmosphere within the team made Villeneuve content, and he was happy with BMW's involvement. He found the less electronically dependent and less refined aerodynamically [[BMW Sauber F1.06|F1.06]] car more driveable. Team principal [[Mario Theissen]] criticised Villeneuve for not achieving decent results, thus failing to please BMW's board of directors.{{Sfn|Camus|2007|pp=254–256, 261–268}} Despite retiring three times, he accumulated 7 points from the first 11 races, ranking him 15th in the Drivers' Championship.<ref name="MMagBio" />{{Sfn|Camus|2007|pp=254–256, 261–268}} At the {{F1GP|2006|German}}, Villeneuve sustained muscle pains in an accident exiting a corner. Shortly afterward, Theissen terminated his contract and replaced him with [[Robert Kubica]].{{Sfn|Camus|2007|pp=254–256, 261–268}} He did not want to be part of a shootout between himself and Kubica,<ref>{{Cite web|date=7 September 2006|title=Villeneuve: The real reason I left F1|url=http://www.tsn.ca/auto_racing/news_story/?ID=176694&hubname=auto_racing|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926214048/http://www.tsn.ca/auto_racing/news_story/?ID=176694&hubname=auto_racing|archive-date=26 September 2007|access-date=6 June 2021|publisher=[[The Sports Network]]}}</ref> and saw his release as a precursor to his future, saying "Screw this, It's time to get on with the rest of my life."<ref name="F1HOFBio" /> Villeneuve twice failed to return to F1, first with [[Stefan Grand Prix]] in the [[2010 Formula One World Championship|2010 season]], then with his team in partnership with [[Durango (racing team)|Durango]] for the [[2011 Formula One World Championship|following year]].<ref name=MMagBio>{{Cite web|title=Jacques Villeneuve|url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/database/drivers/jacques-villeneuve-2/|url-status=live|access-date=7 June 2021|website=Motor Sport|archive-date=May 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210514171603/https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/database/drivers/jacques-villeneuve-2/}}</ref>