Villeneuve to stay at BAR?

Villeneuve was widely expected to leave after former BAR boss, his friend and mentor Craig Pollock, was replaced late last year by David Richards. Richards has recently wielded the axe at Brackley, with over 50 staff members to go, including former technical director Malcolm Oastler.

Villeneuve, however, said: "I didn't really know David Richards when he arrived but we know each other a bit better now, and seem to get along and work well together.

"I have a contract - words on a piece of paper. Although you can legally break a contract, that is never a very positive thing for anybody. It looks like matters have been taken into hand for the team to change, so because I have been here since the beginning I would still like to have success with the team and bring them to victory. It looks like the changes could allow us to do that."

Contracts apart, the 1997 world champion also pointed out another slight stumbling block to his leaving BAR. "After four years of no results," he admitted, "there is nowhere better to go anyway..."