Former F1 champion Jacques Villeneuve announces unexpected racing comeback

Jacques Villeneuve, the 1997 Formula 1 world champion, is making a surprise return to racing at age 55. The Canadian has signed up for the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, the prestigious one-make series that supports F1 weekends, and will debut a car with a livery paying homage to his famous multi-colored striped helmet.

Why it matters:

Villeneuve's comeback adds star power to the Porsche Supercup and reignites attention on a series that runs alongside Grands Prix. For fans, it's a rare chance to see an F1 legend active on track nearly 30 years after his dramatic title win at Jerez.

The details:

• Villeneuve won the 1997 world championship with Williams after a controversial collision with Michael Schumacher. He raced in F1 from 1996 to 2006.
• After F1, he competed in NASCAR, Le Mans, and Formula E, with his most recent race outing in 2023 at three WEC rounds with Vanwall Racing.
• The Supercup entry features a special livery inspired by his iconic helmet design, created after his mother's jumpers. The series' announcement called it "one of his trademarks, instantly recognisable."
• The opening weekend of the 2026 season takes place in Monaco alongside Formula 1, scheduled for June 4-6.

What's next:

Villeneuve will begin his Supercup campaign in Monaco. The series typically visits several European F1 rounds, giving the ex-champion multiple opportunities to race in front of a global audience. His role as a Sky Sports pundit for the 2026 F1 season means he'll juggle both on-track and broadcast duties.