Villeneuve Wants to Return to BAR

Former World Champion Jacques Villeneuve would like to return to the BAR team and pick up where he left off, despite parting acrimoniously last year.

British American Racing, founded on the ashes of the Tyrrell team, was largely built around Villeneuve and was run by the Canadian's manager, Craig Pollock. But the team was marred with power struggles and politics, and Pollock was ousted two years ago, replaced by David Richards.

Richards and Villeneuve did not get on well and when the latter's contract came to an end, after five seasons with the team, he was notified by Richards that he would not be driving for the team again in 2004. Villeneuve was so upset, he decided not to drive in the final race of the season.

But now, it seems, all is forgotten. With Jenson Button likely to move to Williams next season, pending legal battle between BAR and Williams, Villeneuve would like to pick up where BAR and he left off.

"David Richards and I have had our differences but I believe we can put everything behind us," Villeneuve told The Sun. "I'm sure we can sort things out and work together on making the team go forward because BAR are true front-runners; Ferrari are the best but after them it's BAR - the only team that can worry Michael Schumacher.

"I’ve spoken to David and it would be good if something can be worked out but we have to wait and see what happens to Jenson. But I want to get back into F1 and fight at the front. I've been watching the races on TV this season and I've been training since the winter. I'm hungry for a return.

“By the end of last season there were political problems, coupled with few results on the track, but the problems I had with David are no longer an issue."