Villeneuve Criticises Teammate Zonta

Brazilian Ricardo Zonta's chances of staying at British American Racing (BAR) next season dimmed further on Sunday when Jacques Villeneuve said he had little respect for his teammate.

The two drivers tangled on lap 34 of Sunday's German Formula One Grand Prix in an incident that ensured neither ended up with any points.

"There was an incident with my teammate and I have to say that I don't have much respect for him as a result," said 1997 world champion Villeneuve.

"Ricardo's mistake cost us fifth and sixth positions and the team three points," he said.

Zonta, who shunted Ferrari's world championship leader Michael Schumacher out of the previous race in Austria at the first bend, said he was sorry for what had happened.

"He gave me space but not quite enough and I touched the kerb as a result. It was slippery, the car slid back out a little and my front wheel clipped his rear wheel, causing him to spin," the Brazilian said.

Zonta also collected a 10-second penalty before he later locked his brakes and slid off the track on lap 38.

BAR boss Craig Pollock said before the race that his team had yet to decide who would partner Canadian Villeneuve next season.

But he said that Zonta, who has now retired from the last three races, needed to do better.

"Ricardo has to perform and at the moment we are keeping our options open, a little bit like (Jaguar boss) Neil Ressler," said Pollock.

"We're not prepared to announce who we're going to sign up for next year, whether it's going to be Ricardo or whether its going to be one of the young hopefuls or Olivier Panis or whoever," he added.

Jaguar Racing chairman Ressler has to replace British veteran Johnny Herbert, who has announced he is leaving Formula One at the end of the season, but has yet to name a replacement.

Frenchman Panis, currently the McLaren test driver, has been discussed as a possible replacement for Zonta, who has had several big crashes in his brief career and has taken just one point in his 27 races with the team.