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Home  » Sports » Villeneuve defends Massa move

Villeneuve defends Massa move

By Nick Mulvenney
May 27, 2005 12:27 IST
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Former world champion Jacques Villeneuve does not regret his ill-fated attempt to overtake Sauber team mate Felipe Massa at last weekend's Monaco Grand Prix.

Villeneuve ruined both drivers' chances of points by trying to go past Massa only to force the Brazilian down an escape route and damage his own car.

It was a move team boss Peter Sauber described as "the most depressing thing that a team can experience".

"It was an exciting move but it wasn't a good move because it didn't work," the Canadian said at the European Grand Prix on Thursday.

"It was over-optimistic but everybody complains when you have a boring race and then everyone complains when there is bad news.

"We are racing. There was a chance there, I took it and it didn't work out. I still had good tyres and I wanted to fight with those in front.

"I went over the kerbs to make sure I didn't hit him but then I got stuck in the tyres.

"People only look at that, it's a bit annoying. I was ninth anyway, it wasn't a big deal -- we were in with a chance of going further up so you have to take it.

Villeneuve said he had explained to Massa why he tried to overtake but that the meeting called by Sauber at the team's factory had not achieved much.

"There was a meeting because we didn't talk at Monaco," he said. "Nothing happened.

"It's negative one race and then positive the next -- I don't care."

Villeneuve has scored five points this season, Massa two.

 

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Nick Mulvenney
Source: REUTERS
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