No Renault drive for Villeneuve in 2011

1997 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve, who is looking for a Formula One drive in 2011, will not join the Renault F1 Team according to Eric Boullier. Earlier this season JV came close to sign a deal with Stefan GP for 2010 before the collapse of the team, but the Canadian is still hoping to be back in the pinnacle of motorsport in 2011.

Eric Boulier however ruled out that Villeneuve will get a seat with his team in 2011 as he said to 'Rue Frontenac', a Canadian publication: "Jacques is a world champion and a driver of exceptional talent for whom I have great respect. There is no doubt he could help a team looking for a driver with his profile. This was not the case for us."

Jacques Villeneuve left Formula One in the middle of the 2006 season as he was replaced by Robert Kubica at the BMW Sauber F1 Team.

According to Boulier, it will be very difficult for Villeneuve to return to Formula One racing due to the current regulations. He said: "The current regulations that limit private testing greatly affect the potential return of a non-active driver. A driver who leaves competition loses his normal speed, his reflexes are a bit dulled as are his physical abilities to take the car to its maximum potential.

"That's just natural. Whatever you do in sports, the specific skills needed to race in F1 must be constantly maintained."