Saturday June 3rd, 2000

Canadian driver Jacques Villeneuve took up a different kind of road racing on Saturday when his car packed in during qualifying and he had to run half way round the circuit to get back to the pit.

The crowds gave a standing ovation as Villeneuve dodged obstacles along the circuit, skirting past yachts in the harbour and hurdling crash barriers to get back pick up the spare car.

Perhaps drained by his exertions, Villeneuve clocked only the 17th fastest time, leaving him near the back of the grid for Sunday's race.

But the 1997 world champion who drives for the BAR team was still in fighting spirit. "It was no problem," he said, commenting on his unscheduled run.

"Quite honestly, whether it's 17th or 14th position makes very little difference. We can afford to take risks in the race tomorrow and just see what happens," he said.