BAR Drivers Blame Pit-Stop Blunder

Olivier Panis and Jacques Villeneuve criticised their British American Racing team after a pit-stop blunder cost them the chance of a double points finish.

A radio problem resulted in both drivers coming into the pits at the same time and Villeneuve, who ended seventh, claimed he could have added to the points fourth-placed Panis collected.

"I was on a two-stop strategy for the race and it was working to plan," said Panis. "I managed to overtake a number of cars quite quickly but we had a problem with the radio, which resulted in a delay for me during my pit-stop."

Villeneuve added: "It was a hard day. The team got some points but Olivier should have been on the podium. We had some problems in the pits, which meant that both cars lost some time. The reality is that we should have both been in the points."

Villeneuve's race was ruined early on as he was forced to pit on lap 12 with what he revealed was a problem with the differential.