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Canadian Grand Prix Preview: Can Anyone Stop Jacques?

13 June 1997

by Andrew Frankl
European Bureau Chief

Sunday's race in the beautiful city of Montreal promises to be a celebration for Canada 's favourite son - Jacques Villeneuve. The 26-year-old is currently on top of the championship table with 30 points, just ahead of double world champion Michael Schumacher who has 26.

There have been some wild rumours in the Montreal newspapers concerning Jacques. According to the papers the International Federation wants to ban him from the race because he dared to criticise next year 's rule changes. It would be a very sad day indeed if that were to happen. I cannot imagine it as the locals would probably tear up the track and prevent the race from taking place. I, for one, would not blame them. There are several other drivers who feel the same way as Jacques but are afraid to speak up as they risk losing their jobs.

Anyway, in the meantime all the teams have been testing. At Silverstone Villeneuve was fastest ahead of the two Jordan-Peugeots whilst at Magny-Cours-scene of the forthcoming French Grand Prix-the local hero Olivier Panis proved to be fastest. Sunday 's race will be run over 69 laps on the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, a distance of 305 kilometres or 189 and a half miles.

The first ever Canadian grand Prix was held at Mosport, Ontario and was won by Jack Brahma in his Repco-Brabham. His teammate Denny Hulme was second. For some strange reason there have been lots of 1-2 finishes for teammates, the most recent being last year 's with Hill narrowly beating Villeneuve. It was also in the Canadian Grand Prix that we last saw Jackie Stewart drive a racing car in anger. It was his 99th Grand Prix and he was hoping to announce his retirement after the next and final race of the season at Watkins Glen two weeks later. It would have made it a round 100 but it was not to be as he withdrew from the race following the fatal accident of his teammate Francois Cevert during Saturday 's practice. The Canadian track was also the scene of a fatal accident when Italian Riccardo Paletti crashed into the back of Didier Pironi 's stalled Ferrari and lost his life.

To end on a happier note one should mention the two truly happy moments at the Montreal track. In 1978 emotions ran sky high when local hero and the golden boy of Canadian motor racing Gilles Villeneuve won in a Ferrari and when some years later Jean Alesi won for the first and so far only time, once again. This was his 91st attempt and if he does not pull his socks up there won't be many more.