Villeneuve NASCAR rumours resurface.

Despite the Canadian saying little on the subject, suggestions that Jacques Villeneuve is about to follow Juan Pablo Montoya to NASCAR refuse to fade, particularly with few Formula One seats appearing open to him.

According to the Journal de Montreal newspaper, the 1997 world champion has already been in touch with various NASCAR outfits regarding a drive for 2007, when it would appear that his time in F1 will expire. Villeneuve apparently ruled himself out of this weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix following his off at Hockenheim on Sunday, but the rumour mill claims that he may not return this season, as BMW gives young test driver Robert Kubica an extended run alongside Nick Heidfeld, reviewing next year's expected line-up despite Villeneuve's impressive displays this season.

Villeneuve and Heidfeld clashed on track at the start of the German GP, ruining the team's hopes of a points finish, and the Canadian is known to dislike the Hungaroring circuit, perhaps helping prompt his 'decision' not to race this weekend. The report claims that he may have made his last appearance in an F1 car, with 'a conditional understanding' already in his pocket for NASCAR.

Should the rumours be true, it is not clear whether the Canadian would move straight into the Nextel Cup, as Montoya proposes to do, or whether he would take a year in the Busch Series to familiarise himself with stock cars. As the newspaper points out, the latter - or even a combined campaign spanning both championships - would allow Villeneuve to race on 'home soil' in Montreal, where the Busch Series is scheduled to compete in 2007.