From GMM

Both drivers were close to sign a race seat for the 2010 season, but at one week before the first grand prix, the teams seem full.


Jacques Villeneuve vows to wait for 2010 race seat

The 1997 world champion was close to signing with Stefan GP, but the Serbian team was not granted an official entry by the sport's governing FIA.

"I've been saying for a while that my priority is to be ready in the event that a new driver is not fast enough, or if one of the pay drivers does not bring the budget that he promises," he told Montreal's Rue Frontenac.

Jacques Villeneuve admits the news about Stefan GP not getting an entry to field its Toyota-designed cars in 2010 is disappointing.

"But it's also not a huge surprise given the shortage of time to the beginning of the season. I got the impression of a well born car and I saw that Mr Stefanovich and his team were serious people who understand the engineering tasks. The foundation is there, but the scheduled was very tight. If there's something positive in all this, it's that I had to step up my training with Erwin (Gollner). I have suffered, but I feel better than ever," says Jacques Villeneuve.


Bertrand Baguette hopes for 2010 debut at Belgian GP

The 24-year-old is the reigning World Series by Renault champion, who tested with both Renault and Sauber in December and was also linked with HRT's earlier guise Campos.

But although F1's 24-car grid for 2010 is complete, Bertrand Baguette told the Brussels newspaper De Morgen that he remains hopeful.

"I am definitely coming to Bahrain to show myself to the team bosses," says the Belgian, who indicated recently he has links to potential personal sponsors.

"I am convinced that during the course of the year there are vacancies. With my manager Rick Gorne I am working hard on having a sufficient budget. Ideally I want to start at the Belgian grand prix in April and then complete the season. Hopefully Belgian companies realise the impact my participation could have. F1 remains my priority although there are alternatives such as Indycars or Superleague Formula. I need to keep fit so that I'm ready when an opportunity presents itself in F1," says Bertrand Baguette.