Saturday June 26th, 2004

Former World Champion Jacques Villeneuve stepped back into a Formula One car on Saturday in a special tribute to his late father Gilles.

"It was really great and very special, even if it was short," said the Canadian after driving his father's 1978 Ferrari 312 T3 at the Goodwood 'Festival of Speed' in southern England.

"I never thought I would do this," added the 1997 Champion. "It's something that you do once in a lifetime, and that's what it will remain. This run was like 'thank you and goodbye' to my Dad."

The Canadian has been notably reluctant to talk about his father in the past but on Saturday he wore a helmet belonging to the Ferrari great, who died in practice for the 1982 Belgian Grand Prix.

The drive itself lasted a matter of minutes.

"The safety levels aren't exactly the same but it doesn't feel like an old car. I could still imagine racing it," said Villeneuve of the car now owned by Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason.

The Canadian last raced a Formula One car at Indianapolis in September 2003, quitting before the season-ending Japanese Grand Prix after BAR announced that he was being replaced by Japanese driver Takuma Sato.

The 33-year-old has since been talking to Williams, who need a replacement for Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya next year.

"The phone call might come, and I have to be ready. But you know as much as I do about what I'll be doing next year," said Villeneuve after his run up the Goodwood hill.