Formula 1: Villeneuve issues ultimatum to BAR

Jacques Villeneuve today launched British American Racing’s 2001 Formula One season insisting only a top-three finish in the Constructors’ Championship will ensure he stays with them - but also took a dig at Michael Schumacher.

Jacques Villeneuve today launched British American Racing’s 2001 Formula One season insisting only a top-three finish in the Constructors’ Championship will ensure he stays with them - but also took a dig at Michael Schumacher.

The 1997 World Champion warned BAR Honda managing director Craig Pollock that the team’s third season in Formula One must see them become big players or he will go elsewhere for the success he craves.

The 29-year-old Canadian also dragged up Schumacher’s botched attempt to run him off the track and shatter his title dream in the final race of the 1997 season.

Speaking at BAR’s glitzy launch at Planit Arches in Shoreditch, London, Villeneuve made it crystal clear that his commitment to the manufacturer is not timeless.

Pollock once taught Villeneuve Physical Education at a private school in Switzerland - and he was delighted when he secured the signature of the ex-Williams man for BAR’s Formula One debut in 1999.

But the duo could go separate ways if 2001 does not see a third-place or better team finish.

''That’s the minimum acceptable for us to be happy,'' said Villeneuve.

''Hopefully we will reach it or else it will be a big weight for all of us to carry if we’re not in the top three.

''If you can get third then maybe you can fight for second - and if you can get second then maybe you can fight for first.''

BAR failed to win a single point in 1999, but Honda added their considerable support last season and the team came home fifth in the Constructors’ table, while Villeneuve finished seventh in the Driver’s Championship.

Now the former World Champion is demanding another big improvement to keep him at the Northampton-based team in 2002.

He said: ''If the team keeps progressing and it looks positive, then I wouldn’t see any reason to go anywhere else.

''But you also need the team to be wanting you. Sometimes you start getting angry with some people and you don’t want to stay there. You just never know in advance.

''There’s more than the result, but the results are very, very, very important.''

There are just five weeks until Villeneuve and Schumacher renew their rivalry at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on March 4.

Villeneuve is certainly up for the challenge - a point he proved with a thinly-veiled attack on Schumacher’s wild manoeuvre after he overtook the German at the Spanish Grand Prix in autumn 1997.

Asked whether he felt the Ferrari ace or Mika Hakkinen would be more difficult opponents this season, he replied: ''I would say Michael, because you don’t know what he’s going to do.

''You don’t know if the track is going to be wide enough for you and you don’t know if he’s seen you.

''It’s difficult to judge, whereas in general you know that Mika is going to think like a normal human being and have normal behaviour.''

more courts articles

Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van
Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman
Coronation Street actor William Roache (91) given three months to settle tax debt Coronation Street actor William Roache (91) given three months to settle tax debt

More in this section

Manchester City v Liverpool FC - Premier League S Larry Ryan: Should we let coach Klopp write his own ending?
Donegal v Tyrone - Ulster GAA Football Senior Championship Semi-Final Cork vs Mayo game switched from Mallow, Fermanagh vs Armagh rescheduled
Cork v Kerry - Lidl Ladies National Football League Division 1 Limerick forced to move National Hurling League game from Gaelic Grounds
ieStyle Live 2021 Logo
ieStyle Live 2021 Logo

IE Logo
Outdoor Trails

Discover the great outdoors on Ireland's best walking trails

IE Logo
Outdoor Trails

Sport
Newsletter

Latest news from the world of sport, along with the best in opinion from our outstanding team of sports writers

Sign up
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited