BAR will drop former world champion Jacques Villeneuve next season, as revealed by MOTORSPORTFORUM in December 2002 (16th December). The combination of Villeneuve's massive salary and lacklustre performances are believed to be the main reasons behind the decision.
Sources within the BAR team have suggested that BAR will replace Villeneuve as team-mate to the under contract Jenson Button. MOTORSPORTFORUM suggested in November 2002 that a number of drivers will vie for Villeneuve's seat including Ralph Firman, Takuma Sato, Briton Anthony Davidson and Dario Franchitti. With Firman now racing full-time in F1 with Jordan and Franchitti recovering from a serious back injury, testers Davidson and Sato are expected to be the prime candidates.
With the 'big four' teams expected to keep their driver line-ups for 2004, Villeneuve's options are severely limited. Villeneuve was linked to a switch to the Renault team but the success of Spanish hot-shot Fernando Alonso and improved performances from Jarno Trulli make that unlikely. Villeneuve may choose to sit out 2004 in the hope of finding a top level drive in 2005 when most driver contracts end.
The Canadian is unlikely to be willing to race with smaller teams such as Sauber or Jordan, but the prospect of driving with Mercedes customer engines may sway his decision. A more likely option is thought to be a temporary switch to the Champ Car series with his manger's team, PK Racing. An audacious move by CART team owner Jerry Forsythe to create a Canadian 'superteam' of Paul Tracy and Villeneuve for the 2003 season was rejected by the 1997 World Champion. Other rumours suggests a sensational switch by Villeneuve to the McLaren team as a replacement for David Coulthard may be on the cards but this is thought to be very wide of the mark.
Back to F1 News & Discussion Page
Back to Main Page
Visit
Linksheaven! The Motor Racing Directory
© 2000 motorsportforum@yahoo.co.uk