Richards: BMW wrong to keep Villeneuve

BMW, who took over the Sauber team this year, announced the former World Champion would stay with them in 2006, when the German carmaker will race under its own name.

34-year old Villeneuve struggled to match teammate Felipe Massa's pace in the early races of this year, and he was not confirmed at BMW until this month despite having signed a two-year contract with Sauber.

Richards, who was Villeneuve's team boss until he fell out with the Canadian during the 2003 season, believes the 1997 Champion is "past his sell-by date".

"People have to make their own judgements on Jacques, and I made mine years ago," Richards told F1 Racing magazine. 

"Bluntly, he's past his sell-by date, and has been for some time," added Richards, whose spat with Villeneuve led to the Canadian leaving BAR before the end of the 2003 season.

"I know that [BMW boss] Mario [Theissen] is retaining Jacques' services, but if I'd been him I wouldn't have even entertained the idea. In a difficult year - and 2006 will definitely be difficult for BMW - the last thing they need is someone like Jacques."

Richards admitted he was also surprised Sauber had chosen Villeneuve after he sat out most of 2004 after being dropped by BAR.

"I was surprised to see that Peter employed Jacques - and even more surprised when he explained the appointment by boasting that at last Sauber had hired a World Champion," added Richards. "It was a very odd decision, and it certainly didn't seem to work out.

"I sensed there were periods in the middle of the season, and even early on, where Peter's famously calm exterior showed the extent of his frustration with the Jacques situation."