Pollock Plays Down Villeneuve's Back Problems

Canadian Jacques Villeneuve's performance is not being affected by back problems, according to British American Racing boss Craig Pollock.

Villeneuve injured his back at the season opening Australian Grand Prix, where he suffered a dramatic accident when he crashed into the back of Ralf Schumacher's Williams, his car completing a series of rolls before stopping on the gravel trap.

Though he has complained of back pains at the last few Grands Prix, Pollock is sure the problem is not affecting Villeneuve's performance.

"I don't think the back is an issue," said Pollock during today's press conference for the Monaco Grand Prix. "I think Jacques has had an injury from his youth that has been there for years and years and it was maybe aggravated during the Australian incident but I don't think that it is actually affecting him during races."

"I think he's just following his physiotherapist. He's had everything checked out to make sure he can do any form of exercise and carry on driving and according to the doctors there's no problem doing that. He just needs to strengthen up his back."