Villeneuve to race in World Rallycross

Jacques Villeneuve

Jacques Villeneuve will compete in the FIA's new World Rallycross Championship in 2014.

The 1997 F1 World Champion was confirmed as one of Albatec Racing's two drivers for the new season, driving alongside team principal Andy Scott. It's a first foray in to RallyCross for Villeneuve, who has mainly been racing in NASCAR and a number of touring car championships since leaving Sauber in 2006.

Looking ahead to the move, Villeneuve said the stature of the new championship proved too enticing to turn down.

“I am really looking forward to entering the RallyCross arena with Albatec Racing," Villeneuve said. “With my previous ice-racing experience, I'm excited about driving sideways in a 600bhp, four-wheel-drive Peugeot 208 over the combination of loose and tarmac surfaces, not to mention the jumps. With the added incentive of it being an FIA World Championship, the opportunity was really too good to miss.

“We had a very successful test in France. I was very impressed with the quality of the team, particularly on the engineering side – it reminded me of my time in F1. The car is just so responsive, the power is amazing and with 600bhp to play with, who wouldn't be excited? I was pleasantly surprised by how reactive the car is to any changes, and I'm very much looking forward to getting into the events."

The 2014 FIA World Rallycross Championship kicks off at Montalegre in Portugal on the 3rd and 4th May, with Villeneuve set to drive in front of his home fans at Trois-Rivieres in Quebec on August 7/8.