F1 round-up: 'Jacques can match Schuey' & more

Speaking to the Sunday Mirror, Pollock said of the 1997 World Champion: "If Jacques has equal equipment with Michael, he is the only person capable of beating him."

BAR-Honda has suffered a painful gestation in its first two seasons of F1, but is now aiming to move up the ladder and finish third behind McLaren and Schumacher's Ferrari team in 2001. Adrian Reynard, joint managing director of the Brackley-based squad, is even tipping it to take its maiden Grand Prix win this season - and Pollock believes the 'Villeneuve factor' will be crucial.

"I may be accused of bias, but I know how far Jacques can go," said Pollock, who is also Villeneuve's manager and mentor. "I know just what he can do. He can genuinely beat Michael.

"It is not just his ability," he added. "It is also his attitude. He is not fazed or intimidated by Michael and his reputation, as many drivers are. Our responsibility is to give him the car to prove that."

Villeneuve drove the team's 2001 car, the BAR003, for the first time last week, but was less than enthusiastic with the performance with a 2001 aerodynamic package.

"We are quite a bit slower than last year's car, and we are not yet sure why," he said. "Once we have found out what the problem is, hopefully the car will be a lot quicker. It is slow and difficult to drive."

The launch of the new BAR 03 is scheduled to take place on Friday in London, but the British American Racing Squad will be pulling the wraps off a replica car. Former world champion Jacques Villeneuve crashed the sole completed 2001 chassis during testing at Jerez in Spain last week.

"This is a disruption to our testing programme," said BAR team boss Craig Pollock, "and a set-back to our official launch. With or without the new car, the event promises to be a very special occasion."

The car has been taken back to the team's Brackley base for repairs. The accident is thought to have been caused by a suspension failure.
Williams new boy Juan Pablo Montoya has told the News of the World that he would willingly take a pay cut to race in F1.

"I'm not coming to Formula 1 for the cash," said the Colombian. "I race because I love it. It is my passion to race, my passion to win and to push cars to their limits.

"I would race for half the money I'm getting. If it was just about money I would not be in F1 now. I could have earned a lot more by staying in America."