FEBRUARY 7, 2002

Villeneuve for Le Mans?

THERE is speculation that Jacques Villeneuve might be planning to race at Le Mans this year, sharing an Audi with his friend Patrick Lemarie.

Villeneuve is believed to be keen to leave his mark on the sport and wants to add victory at Le Mans to his win at the Indianapolis 500 and his CART and F1 World Championships.

That would be a unique achievement as only one man has ever won the Indianapolis 500, Le Mans and the World Championship - Graham Hill (although he did not win a US racing title).

Mike Hawthorn, Jochen Rindt and Phil Hill all won the F1 World Championship and the Le Mans 24 Hours but they never won the Indianapolis 500. Jim Clark, Mario Andretti, Emerson Fittipaldi and Nigel Mansell all won the World Championship and the Indianapolis 500 but they never won Le Mans, while AJ Foyt won Le Mans and the Indianapolis 500 but never figured in F1.