Alonso Wins Third Race of the Year and Doubles Second Place Trulli in Points Lead

If youre a Jacques Villeneuve fan (and after counting the letters sent into the editor in response to the Apr 17, 2005 news article: Canadian F1 Star Jacques Villeneuve in the Hot Seat, JVs fan base still remains sizable and vocal, Ed.), youve got to feel a bit smug about his 6th place finish in Sundays San Marino Grand Prix in Imola, Italy.

Not only did he score three points towards his total, and the Sauber Petronas teams, but also managed to squeak past Felipe Massas two points total.

To Massas credit, he managed a surprising 7th place finish in the first qualifying session, and then due to a slower second session and the need to aggregate the two times, plus being penalized ten places for having to change an engine prior to the weekends running, he was forced to start the race

If youre a Jacques Villeneuve fan youve got to feel a bit smug about his 6th place finish in Sundays San Marino Grand Prix in Imola, Italy. (Photo: Sauber Petronas)

After starting in 11th position on the grid,

After starting in 11th position on the grid, JV dueled with Williams BMWs Mark Webber early in the race and made the pass. (Photo: Williams BMW)

"Villeneuve drove a strong race from the outset, making a good getaway at the start to move up into the points," reported the teams website after the race. "The former Champion gained another post in the final round of pitstops to score three valuable points for the team. Felipe Massa battled hard with David Coulthard, eventually gaining the 12th position."

JVs

"We didnt know that we would have so much improvement in the car when we arrived here this weekend, and that has really helped," commented Villeneuve. (Photo: Sauber Petronas)

"We didnt know that we would have so much improvement in the car when we arrived here this weekend, and that has really helped, commented Villeneuve. "I thoroughly enjoyed my race. I had

"Ive had a hell of a time this year, so its sweet to score these points while making a point of my own," added JV. (Photo: Sauber Petronas)

Jacques was openly grateful to his team for improvements made to the C24 as well as stellar pitstop performance.

"I made a great start and my pit stops couldnt have been better, so thanks to the team for their efforts on my behalf this afternoon," he added. "Having the improvement also permitted me more freedom from the team in setting the car up the way I like, and that

"After qualifying we realized that we had made a significant step, but it was bigger than we expected," stated Peter Sauber. (Photo: Sauber Petronas)

JVs point should be clear now, that he indeed still possesses a winning spirit and when fitted with a competitive car is capable of achieving a solid finish. Happy with the car JV told an AFP reporter, "It was not only a full race it was a race where the car worked the whole race, you could be aggressive and work on the strategies and everything and it was fun."

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