Villeneuve sees BAR chasing third

Jacques Villeneuve has claimed anything lower than third in this year's constructors championship will be unacceptable for BAR, and the 1997 world champion is confident he take on Williams-BMW for that third spot - and win

Villeneuve took the British team's first podium two weeks ago at the Spanish Grand Prix after nearly 40 races and two and half years of competition.

"I have high expectations," said the Canadian. "The team has to be in the top three in the constructors. That has to be the minimum expectations and the minimum results acceptable. If the team continues to work well like we have been doing then we should be able to reach it.

"There is only Ferrari and McLaren who aren't catchable this season. If we do a good job, we should be able to get there."

Villeneuve, who has been with BAR since its formation in 1999, said the team's latest triumph has lifted a huge weight off everyone, something he hopes will lead to more success on the track. BAR is currently lying sixth in the constructors' table, but Villeneuve maintains the team will improve on that place soon.

"The third place in Barcelona has lifted a weight off the shoulders of everyone in the team and I think it has made it easier for everyone to work. It was also very important because last year many times we were close to it, but we didn't manage to get a podium for one reason or another, but hopefully this will lead to more successes now.

"It was a lucky podium because it is very rare to have the leader break down on the last lap. We were lucky, but at least we were there to grab it when it happened. It was a great effort from the team because everything went well in the race."