Jacques Villeneuve

    Jacques Villeneuve was introduced to motor sport at the Jim Russel racing drivers school in 1986.  He drove Touring cars and Formula 3 in 1988 in Italy.  Thereafter, he finished the 1992 season in second place overall. Villeneuve moved on to Indy cars in 1994 and was so good that he was voted "Rookie of the Year".  The following season was to be even better.  He won the Indy 500 and four other races to finish the season as overall champion.  Villeneuve moved to Formula One for the 1996 season.  A great start at Melbourne, his first win at the Nurburgring and other placings, brought him so many points that he became a serious threat to Damon Hill right through to the last race at Suzuka where there were only 9 points between them.  Villeneuve needed to win the Japanese GP to even have a chance of winning the championship.  Unfortunately, he retired in the 37th lap after losing a wheel from his car.  His achievements in 1996 have certainly earned him the title "Best Newcomer of all Time".