BAR will not renew Villeneuve's contract

Date 2003-10-04

Jacques Villeneuve will not race for BAR in 2004, according to his manager Craig Pollock, after the team told him Villeneuve's contract will not be renewed. Speculation has been rife recently concerning Villeneuve's future and it comes as no surprise to learn that he and BAR will part company.

Villeneuve joined BAR in 1999 but his time with team has not been a hugely successful one. His best finish this season has been sixth, and he has been plagued by unreliability and bad luck. The former champion is currently sixteenth in the drivers' standings.

"We received a call from BAR Managing Director, Dave Richards, on Friday evening informing us of their decision," said Pollock. "What is so disappointing is the fact that this team was built for and around Jacques, and he underwent all sorts of trials and tribulations over the years as BAR struggled to find its place in Formula One."

"Jacques never wavered, and his loyalty to British American Racing was constant. He had other opportunities, and no one would have blamed him for going elsewhere, but he preferred to see this project through despite a car that did not live up to its expectations."

"Our primary emotions right now are sadness and disappointment. Jacques has given everything to British American Racing in its first five years, and always with a view to building a team that would be front-of-the-grid some day."

Presumably Villeneuve will conclude his season at Suzuka next weekend, although it has been speculated recently that Takuma Sato could be in his place. Pollock said he didn't know if BAR's decision would have any bearing on Villeneuve's participation in the Japanese Grand Prix.


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