By Parminio
January 16 2004

In a recent interview, JV admits that there will be no Formula1 for him in 2004, and that he will only return if he wants to for fun. "I feel relieved but more tired than ever," JV said in his interview to L'Illustré."These last two years, I often felt exhausted. These difficult seasons wore me out. I have less energy, I need to recharge, it will come back. Now I am becoming a bit lazy in the morning. Going back in F1 with Jordan to be at the back of the grid... no thank you! I had to endure this situation for the past five years. At Jordan, the team has a great attitude, the people work well together, they have fabulous results considering the means that they have. But no, I am happy not to be in the paddock anymore."

JV went on to talk about the situation at BAR; one that did NOT turn out well, and seemed to go sharply downhill even worse with the dissmissal of Craig Pollock and appointment of David Richards.

"As soon as David Richards arrived, I knew that everything would go the wrong way. That was two years ago. The tendency became very clear when Button joined the team. I knew that it was over. Despite that, I tried everything. I was nice and open with Richards, even if I knew that the story would not have a nice ending. I gave my career to BAR, for nothing."

Jaques went on to add that if he did make a comeback in Formula one, that it would be only "for my own pleasure, not to have a career. Not for pressure, not to say "hi" to people and not to be politically correct because of a sponsor. I don't have to do that. I don't want to risk my life anymore for people like David Richards..."

Allthough JV may come off as sounding more than a bit bitter regarding the BAR situation, it does tend to make one wonder why JV suffered so many more mechanical failures that Button did. On the other hand, it also didn't bode well that before the season, JV had slated Button as not deserving the ride, and that should Button beat him, he'd retire as he didn't belong in F1 after being beaten by Button.

So who would hire JV for another chance? I don't know. Once one leaves the arena, it's not very easy to make a comeback. It has happened before, but with the way JV has slated more than one person, surely team bosses would be wary of having the same negative statements made towards them.

We'll have to wait and see if there is a future for JV in 2005. With Juan leaving Williams, and contract problems ongoing with Ralph Schumacher, could JV get a foot back in the door at Williams? It's going to be interesting to be sure.