Villeneuve Rules Out BAR Driver Shoot-Out

Former World Champion Jacques Villeneuve has ruled out taking part in a driver shoot-out to keep his place at BAR next year.

"I had a shoot-out in 1997," the Canadian told the Autosport website on Thursday, referring to his successful Formula One title duel with Ferrari's Michael Schumacher. "A shoot-out is for new, up-and-coming drivers. I wouldn't do it, you wouldn't do it and Madonna wouldn't do it."

British newspapers this week suggested that Villeneuve, who won his title with Williams and is Formula One's only active champion apart from Schumacher, might be asked to take part in a "Fame Academy" reality television style competition.

Villeneuve, one of the highest paid drivers in the sport, said last weekend that he had no offers for a 2004 drive and accused BAR's engine partners Honda of seeking to replace him with Japan's Takuma Sato.

Autosport magazine quoted sources suggesting that Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone had stepped in to try and help the Canadian secure a competitive drive.

"Bernie has always been very positive with me," said Villeneuve. "But if there is no seat available in a team then there is no seat available. But I'm not ready to give up on F1."