Richards denies JV pay cut talk

The rumours were widely publicised in Austria and confused many who understood that the 1997 World Champion had a firm contract for next year, in which his salary was already clearly stipulated.

"That is the situation," Richards said in Monaco. "Basically, I've got no choice but to pay him 25 percent of our budget, which is a bit of a frustrating situation but you have to say that Craig Pollock [Richards' predecessor and Villeneuve's manager] did a very good deal..."

Villeneuve's three-year deal with the team is understood to have rewarded him by a figure close to 50 million dollars and, privately, team members are concerned that his fat pay cheque will inevitably compromise the team's development in other areas.

No other team in the paddock has the inclination to pay that kind of money for Villeneuve, and Richards poured cold water on any suggestions that McLaren might be interested in him.

Concerning his own relationship with Villeneuve, Richards said: "There is no problem there at all. He's a very fast driver and we get along fine. It can be a bit difficult as regards the promotional side, but I can work around that."