Villeneuve: BAR Will Fight McLaren, Williams in 2003

Canadian Jacques Villeneuve says he expects his British American Racing car to allow him to fight with the Williams and McLaren teams next year and for the Championship in the 2004 season.

He did concede, however, that a record sixth world title for Ferrari's Michael Schumacher was almost inevitable next year.

"As long as he doesn't break a leg or Ferrari doesn't make a huge botch of the 2003 car, then there's nothing to stop him," Villeneuve told Autosport magazine. "I'm confident we'll be racing wheel-to-wheel with the McLarens and Williams next year, and if the improvements continue the way they look they are, then I think we'll be pushing for the Championship in 2004."

Villeneuve said he might not be with the team by then as he would consider leaving BAR at the end of his contract in 2003 - but only if Ferrari came calling.

"Well the only team now would be Ferrari," he said. "There's no reason to decide to go to any other team... I wouldn't mind having (Schumacher) as a teammate. That would be great, as long as we have equal billing and status."

The 30-year-old, who raced in his first Grand Prix in 1996, said another problem blighting Formula One was unproven young drivers on the grid.

"You know one of the reasons this sport is suffering is because there are too many inexperienced youngsters filling F1 seats," he said. "First of all they don't have the ability to race Formula One cars and then they are nothing more than corporate mouthpieces for the manufacturers and sponsors ... at a time when the sport is crying out for characters."

"Part of the problem is the (governing body) FIA giving them superlicences. Ten years ago ... you had to win a Formula Three championship, then F3000, then F1. Now it's all about getting rich young kids with sponsorship."