Green’s BAR move not at expense of Pollock

Pollocks's future had been the subject of much speculation when it became clear that Green was to be drafted into the F1 operation by BAR's owner, British American Tobacco. BAT is the main sponsor of Team Green and of BAR, through its KOOL and Lucky Strike brands respectively.

Although Green's move is still to be officially confirmed, it is understood that Pollock will stay on as chairman, with Green taking a more hands-on role as chief operations manager. Green is set to be confirmed after the season-ending Malaysian Grand Prix.

A similar structure has also been put in place by Jaguar Racing, which has signed CART boss Bobby Rahal to run its team in 2001, but retained Neil Ressler as chairman.

At last weekend's United States Grand Prix, Pollock admitted for the first time that he and Green are discussing working together: "In the last two years we've been discussing many different projects together and we're carrying on discussing these projects," he said. "That's really all I can say. It's up to the shareholders to decide who they want to run the company."

Green was team boss to BAR team-leader Jacques Villeneuve in his Indy 500 and CART Championship-winning 1995 season.

"I had a great time with Barry in 1994 and '95 and I am sure I could have a great time with him again," said Villeneuve. "But at the same time I'm having a great time working with the people I'm working with. So I wouldn't want to change them."

Green's place in his Champ car operation will be taken by his brother, Kim. Team Green will expand to a three-car line-up in 2001, with Michael Andretti joining existing drivers Dario Franchitti and Paul Tracy. The Indianapolis-based team's Indy Lights off-shoot will form the backbone of Andretti's squad.