Former world champion Jacques Villeneuve was facing the end of his Formula One career this weekend after his manager Craig Pollock claimed that the Canadian had been dropped from the BAR-Honda team.
"We received a call from BAR Managing Director, Dave Richards, on Friday evening informing us of their decision," said Pollock. "What is so disappointing is the fact that this team was built for and around Jacques, and he underwent all sorts of trials and tribulations over the years as BAR struggled to find its place in Formula One."
Pollock said that he wasn't sure if 32-year-old Villeneuve, the 1997 world champion, would take part in the final race of the season in Japan on October 12. It has been widely reported that the team's test driver Takuma Sato is poised to inherit the seat with huge pressure being applied by Honda for a Japanese driver to feature again in the championship.
Pollock added that Villeneuve, who has had a miserable season lying in 16th place with just six points in the drivers' championship, will now consider his options for the future over the coming days. By contrast, his British teammate Jenson Button is in 12th place with 12 points to his name.
Filed by James Boylan
