Memo to Jacques Villeneuve

Time to split...
By pitpass.com (16/09/2003)
September 16 2003

The Jacques Villeneuve/Lucky Strike BAR Honda saga has taken a new twist - no he hasn't been confirmed at WilliamsF1 as Ralf's replacement yet!

As rumour and counter-rumour continue to circulate, with many claiming that Villeneuve will be replaced by Japanese star - and consequently Honda favourite - Takuma Sato next season, British tabloid The Sun is claiming that the saga is to take a wholly unexpected turn.

The British tabloid claims that Villeneuve will be involved in a shoot-out with fellow BAR hopefuls including Sato and Anthony Davidson.

"We are looking to see if this would be viable," says team principal David Richards. "It's not just a gimmick," he says of the gimmick.

"There are a range of options open to us," he adds, "but this is an exciting idea if we can make it work."

Exciting? Exciting for who?

Will the shoot out be televised, will race fans be given access to the event, will the shoot-out be attended by a number of Bernie's precious celebrities?

If Jacques Villeneuve's career has really come to this - and let's make no mistake the Canadian's F1 future is in serious doubt - then it's best that he simply cuts his losses and walks away now.

As one reads the various reports one can't help but feel that the media is being used, with Jacques and his people eager to feed his side of the story, including rumours, to some sections, and the 'opposition' feeding its version of events to others.

The Canadian still has a large number of fanatical fans out there but it's clear, even to the most fanatical, that his career is on the wane, however that doesn't mean that it's over.

Remember the episode of The Simpsons when Ned Flanders met the country singer? Remember how he took her back to his house, which was now a shrine to his dead wife Maude? Remember Homer and the family clearing out sentimental memories of Maude, albeit for a fee?

Following the dumping of Craig Pollock that is exactly what Richards had to do at Brackley, and the (almost) sole reminder of the Scot's former presence is Jacques.

Right from the outset it was clear that there was no love lost between Jacques and his new boss and consequently battle-lines were drawn up almost immediately.

Jenson Button's recruitment was a serious knock-back for the Canadian and following a pathetic public spat the English youngster has left the 1997 World Champion with egg all over his face.

However is Villeneuve's career in such decline that he has to take part in a shoot-out with a couple of young pretenders, one of whom has already been given a chance and frankly wasn't that impressive.

Villeneuve should walk away from BAR right now, he has no future there. It's quite clear that the owners and management want a clean sweep indeed they probably wanted it last year when they dumped Pollock but the legal and financial deals that were in place proved prohibitive.

In addition to walking away from BAR the Canadian should also get rid of the other millstone around his neck, Mr Pollock.

Do any of us seriously doubt that Jacques is no longer capable of winning races? Olivier Panis, Heinz-Harald Frentzen, Michael Schumacher and David Coulthard are all older than the 1997 Champ, so let's not fool ourselves that he's past it.

He has no future at BAR and Jacques openly admits that nearly all other doors are now closed to him.

Do you really believe that there aren't several major team principals out there that wouldn't jump at the opportunity of having Jacques on their payroll? The fact is that doors have been (repeatedly) slammed in the Canadian's face because of the baggage he carries with him, namely the manager that arranged that mega-pay deal with BAR, step forward Mr Pollock.

With his own father, the legendary racer (in the true sense) Gilles dead, Jacques was absolutely ripe for the picking once he opted to take up racing, and Mr Pollock knew a good opportunity when he saw it. From ski teacher to F1 team boss, and at one time touted as a possible replacement for Bernie, is hardly rags-to-riches, but it makes you wonder.

Yes Jacques remains a precocious talent that rubs many up the wrong way. And yes if were not for his surname many would have grown impatient long, long ago.

But the fact remains that he is a proven winner (and how) and a World Champion.

Whereas his father's name has opened doors for him, and will continue to do so, Mr Pollock and his demands - much like a pushy 'showbiz' mother - will cause just as many doors to be slammed firmly in the BAR driver's face.

It's not too late Jacques. However it's time for you to take control yourself.. dump Mr Pollock and BAR.

Ferrari was in 'shit street' before Jean, Michael and the rest of the crew arrived. Swallow your pride, forget about the money - you have plenty as it is - stop running to the media with sound-bites and find yourself a team where you might get your career back on track once again.

Your name and your talent deserves better than shoot-outs.

This article was written by pitpass.com and is used with permission.