Grapevine: Pollock Rubbishes Villeneuve-CART Rumours

Former BAR team chief and Jacques Villeneuve's manager Craig Pollock rubbished suggestions that the former World Champion will be making a return to the CART series next year, declaring Villeneuve has no intentions of leaving Formula One.

"Jacques is in F1, he has his contract in F1 and has no intention of doing anything else," Pollock told the BBC. "To take a Formula One World Champion to Cart would cost an absolute fortune. Why would he do it? You're finishing your career."

Rumours that Villeneuve, who won the CART title in 1995, might be leaving Formula One for a CART return spread after his former CART boss Jerry Forsythe told ESPN he is looking for a driver with "star power".

"We're looking for opportunities that would enable Player's to run three cars next year and we're looking to bring somebody back to our series who's got star power," Forsythe said. "I believe there's a former Cart champion who fits that description." And, when asked if he had Villeneuve in mind, Forsythe replied: "He would be a good candidate."

Commenting on that, Pollock admitted today that Villeneuve would only consider such an option if it involved a much bigger financial offer than what he is currently making - reportedly $20 million a year. "[It would have to be] something incredible - a lot more than he is earning at the moment," Pollock said.

Pollock also clarified that Villeneuve himself was not made aware of the possible offer, stating: "Jacques is on holiday and I have no intention of spoiling his holiday with rumours like this."