It's disappointing says Pollock

New opportunities...
By pitpass.com (04/10/2003)
October 5 2003

Further to our previous report on BAR's decision to drop Jacques Villeneuve, his manager Craig Pollock has confirmed that he received a call from team principal David Richards informing him that the Canadian's contract would not be renewed at the end of this season.

"We received a call from BAR Managing Director, Dave Richards on Friday informing us of their decision," Pollock told Canada's TSN. "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," the Scot continued, "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," he added. "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."

It's understood that Villeneuve will make an announcement regarding the decision within the next few days.

The news that Villeneuve has been dropped is the second major blow for Canadian race fans this year. Earlier in the Summer F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone revealed that as a result of Canada's stance on tobacco advertising, it would be dropped from the calendar in 2004 though efforts to reverse the decision continue.

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