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Pollock critical of BMW over Villeneuve

Jacques Villeneuve's manager Craig Pollock has been critical of the BMW Sauber following the Canadian's exit from the German squad

Villeneuve and BMW have parted company before the end of the season after the former world champion missed the Hungarian Grand Prix.

The team said after the German Grand Prix that Villeneuve had informed them he was not fit to race following an accident in the race.

Pollock has said Villeneuve was perfectly fit to race in Hungary, but had decided against it after BMW boss Mario Theissen had told him the team wanted to give third driver Robert Kubica a chance to race.

"They had already decided before qualifying at Hockenheim that they wanted to try Kubica in a race situation," Pollock told this week's Autosport. "But because I had left paddock on Saturday, they couldn't find me.

"On Monday I received a call from Mario [Theissen] saying he wanted to see me in Zurich on Tuesday. He said they wanted Kubica in the car for the next race, and I said fine, I'll discuss it with Jacques.

"I didn't understand the thought process - it was demotivating for the driver. In the end it was Jacques' decision to not finish the season. The way it was all happening, it was just ridiculous.

"He did have a headache on the Monday, but he was absolutely race fit. It was a big shunt, but he's had bigger. He never said he was not available."

After the early split, Pollock believes Villeneuve will not return to Formula One.

"I think you could say that," Pollock said. "I don't think he is unduly disappointed, I think he was just ready. The way F1 is going in 2006 is towards the young rookie drivers - the relatively unknown, low-cost solution."

According to Pollock, Villeneuve wants to keep racing next season, but the Scot said it was still too early to tell what the Canadian will do, despite rumours about his interest in switching to NASCAR.

"He can go into NASCAR any time he wants, that's absolutely not a problem," he added. "Whether he wants to do it next year or the year after or the year after that is the question. He's definitely very interested in racing - he still hasn't got racing out of his blood."

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