Richards denies Villeneuve shoot out claim

I never said that!
By pitpass.com (21/09/2003)
September 22 2003

BAR boss David Richards has denied that he ever intended to order Jacques Villeneuve to take part in a 'shoot out' for the second seat alongside Jenson Button in 2004.

Earlier this week fans of the 1997 World Champion went apoplectic when it was reported Richards had suggested a shoot-out for the second seat with the Brackley based outfit. The story took a further twist when some bright spark took another casual comment made by Richards and combined the two.

Richards had indeed talked of a shoot out, however he also mentioned Fame Academy, the TV 'talent' show in which Jenson Button's girlfriend had previously participated. Richards had suggested that it would be fun to organise something similar - an F1 Fame Academy - however he was taken at his word and next minute the shoot out was also going to involve a situation where the potential driver would be judged on his teamwork and even his sense of fashion.

"It's amazing in Formula One how you make one flippant suggestion and it takes on a life of its own," said Richards at a pre-US GP press conference. The Englishman then admitted that he has considered a shoot out, but "it was never intended as an assessment against Jacques".

Whatever, the comments, and indeed the very thought that Villeneuve may lose his seat at BAR after five years has got the driver and his legions of fans very angry. Even worse is the thought that the decision has already been made and that JV faces the prospect of not having a berth for 2004.

In recent days, indeed weeks, there has been claim and counter claim, with some sources claiming that Richards simply wants Villeneuve out of the team, while others claim that Honda want Japanese star Takuma Sato alongside Button. Finally there has also been talk that certain factions within parent company BAT are unhappy at the lack of progress under Richards and that it is the team principal himself whose future is in doubt.

All with hopefully be revealed in due course.

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