Villeneuve back in chase

Jacques Villeneuve powered back into contention for the World Championship with his fourth victory of the season in a dramatic British Grand Prix at Silverstone. It was the Castrol-backed Williams Renault drivers’ second win in as many years at the Northamptonshire circuit and one that moves him within four points of the series leader Michael Schumacher.

The former champion had looked set to add to his winning pedigree, when he forged clear in his Ferrari after Villeneuve had lost valuable seconds as his pit crew struggled to move a wheel nut. However, Schumacher himself was to hit problems later in the race, when the left rear wheel bearing failed and he was forced out of the race at two thirds distance, while leading.

“I never felt I was off track for the title, 14 points can be a lot if the leader keeps on getting the results, but one DNF as happened here changes everything. This was a result I needed and am delighted with,” said Villeneuve after recording the 100th Grand Prix victory for the Williams team.