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TSN

August 18, 2001  

JV's Views

With Michael Schumacher far and away the fastest in qualifying the stage is set for him to sew up the driving title tomorrow. All he needs is to score three more points than David Coulthard, who will start beside him on the front row. Jacques Villeneuve, who will start 10th, thinks his friend DC's championship chances are slim to none.

JV: "This season was David's best chance. He drove his best, but the team did not really help him. McLaren went backwards and let him down a little bit. It's too bad that he wasn't in that form two years ago when he was in the best car."

And what about Michael Schumacher, who tried and failed to beat JV to the 1997 championship by ramming him off the road in the deciding race - is he a deserving champion?

JV: "He is a great driver. If he gets his fourth championship then that is quite an achievement."

That said, JV thinks he sees a chink in Schumacher's armour.

"I have seen Michael make a lot of mistakes, mostly when he is leading races or fighting for a championship. So I have seen Michael crack a lot under pressure, more than some other drivers. It has nothing to do with IQ. You can be very intelligent and make a lot of mistakes because you crack under pressure."

JV won the Indy 500 and the ChampCar championship. Could Michael do it?

JV: "I don't think Michael would enjoy being on ovals close to the walls. He has always mentioned that it would be too scary for him. But the level of F1 is definitely higher, so he could probably walk it anyway in ChampCars because there are enough street courses to compensate for every oval."

We know Michael is back with Ferrari next year, so how long can they maintain domination?

JV: "When a team makes a leap forward normally they keep it for two or three years. Williams was like that when I was there, and now it is Ferrari's turn. Once you get a little bit ahead everybody feels great, everybody works a little bit better, and you keep making progress until you become lax and the others catch up. Then you go down and it is another team's turn. This is Ferrari's second year, so probably another year."

Back to this year and JV's team. What can we expect from BAR in the remaining five races?

JV: "It is still going to be a tough battle with Jordan, but I think our main rivals are going to be Sauber. They have a better car than ours and they are more competitive. Even if they don't score any points it is going to be tough for us to score points. There is more confidence in us keeping fifth place than in getting fourth."

And how does it feel to be so far back in the pack?

JV: "It is very disappointing to not to be on top. It is very disappointing to work hard and not see any results at the end of the day. We have had a few good results this year and they have felt great, but there have been many races where we went home with a big weight on our shoulders and very unhappy, and that accumulates."

So JV, what do you expect for the future?

JV: "For the first time ever I am not expecting anything. I just hope for good things to happen because I have been expecting good things for three years and it has been a disappointment every year. I don't want to expect anything now but just be happily surprised."

    

Autosport

August 13, 2001  

Team boss admits team has underperformed in 2001

British American Racing team boss Craig Pollock says that his star driver Jacques Villeneuvce has taken a leap of faith by deciding to stay with the team for 2002, after another year of underperforming from the Brackley-based squad.

It was announced in the run up to the German Grand Prix that both Villeneuve and team mate Olivier Panis would be staying at BAR for next year. But Pollock has admitted that the team has not lived up to performance clauses in Villeneuve's contract, giving the 1997 world champion the option to walk.

"Jacques had certain options," Pollock told Autosport.com. "He had a signed contract with us, but there was a clause in there, a performance clause, and we didn't perform up to that. So it's another leap of faith on Jacques' part."

Next year will be Villeneuve's third with the team and is set to be crucial for the BAR outfit both in terms of holding on to Villeneuve and also proving to its engine supplier Honda that it has what it takes to win races.

Pollock says he was keen to get his driver signings out of the way in order to concentrate on making a better car for 2002. He admits that this year's car has not been as competitive as it should have been.

"Obviously the team has slightly underperformed this year," said Pollock. "So it was really important just to get that [the signings] out of the way, so all we have to do is concentrate on driving and making the car fast.

"I think Jacques is disappointed with the way the year's gone. He really held in there for the first two years like a trooper, the same way as everybody in our facility did. It was not just Jacques Villeneuve, but the 400 people there building a car for him. We at this time have failed to give him the car that we said we were going to give him, so the frustration is there."

Villeneuve will be keen to pick up from where he left off in Germany at this weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix after netting his second podium finish of the season at Hockenheim two weeks ago.

Olivier and JV: Mates on and off the track    

BAR

The two were friends before Olivier joined the team at the start of the year, but since then the pair's friendship has blossomed in a sport where relations between team-mates can become notoriously fraught.

Speaking in this month's F1 Racing JV said: "We clicked immediately. Before we worked together, we went out to dinner, had fun. The normal stuff. That was a help. And then gradually, as each of us worked with our own engineer, we developed a really healthy working relationship."

Panis believes that their common language in also a factor in the friendship. "Speaking French was also a great help," said Olivier. "It's a pity that some of the team members understand, otherwise it could become our secret code!"

Olivier also remembers the kindness Jacques showed after he broke his legs in his horrendous accident in the 1997 Canadian Grand Prix.

"He was one of the only drivers to give me a call after my accident in 1997," says Olivier. The F1 world can sometimes seem like the ultimate dog-eat-dog environment but the BAR boys are proving there is still room for friendship.

The pair also reveal that they work much closer together and share more information than most team-mates.

As Olivier says: "There's a normal level of rivalry between us, but when it comes to finding a set-up that's another matter, There's no messing about then."

Jacques agrees: "The work is good for both of us as then the car gets better. If we were fighting against each other for first or second place - if we were at Ferrari, say - things might be different. But at the level we're at, it's better to work the way we do."

Jock clears up Villeneuve comments    

Autosport

August 8, 2001  

Race engineer reckons Jacques still good enough to beat Schumacher

Jacques Villeneuve's race engineer Jock Clear has hit back at the misinterpretation of comments he made about the 1997 world champion's driving, according to this week's Autosport magazine.

The British American Racing engineer made comments about Villeneuve under-performing due to not having a world championship-winning car. However, Clear was reported as saying that he did not believe the Canadian was trying hard enough.

"I have never said Jacques isn't trying," said Clear. "My comments have been taken out of context. Of course he is giving 100 percent every time he goes out on the circuit. I said that you cannot expect the same performance from him as if he were fighting for a world championship."

Clear believes that Villeneuve, who has not won a Grand Prix in 45 attempts with the BAR team, would show more of his true ability if he was fighting nearer to the front. The 30-year-old has qualified no higher than seventh place so far this year.

"As a sportsman, you cannot perform at your absolute peak unless there's an incentive to drag out the last drops of talent," said Clear. "When does Martin Johnson play better? For the Lions against Australia, or every Saturday afternoon for Leicester?

"The occasion makes top people perform out of their skins. When we give Jacques a car that's capable of fighting for the world championship, then you'll again see the driver who can beat Michael Schumacher."

JV has lost none of his will to win    

F1 Live

August 5, 2001  

''I am racing as hard as I can.'' 

Following recent claims by Jacques Villeneuve's race engineer Jock Clear that the Canadian is the best driver in the Formula One, but just does not give his all any more because he is waiting for a better car, Villeneuve has said that it is not true. The BAR driver stated that while it is nice of Clear to believe that he can do better than he is doing now and given the right machinery could challenge triple world champion Michael Schumacher, he is in fact doing the best job this season that he could possibly do.

So far this season Villeneuve has secured 11 championship points, including two podium finishes in Spain and Germany, whereas his teammate Olivier Panis has only five points to his name. However Panis has out-qualified the Canadian on a few occasions, but Clear believes that this was only because Villeneuve was not trying his best this season. Despite Clear's opinion Villeneuve said that he is not slacking, but rather is doing his best at every single grand prix.

Villeneuve told the British media: "It's nice to know that Jock believes I can go quicker but you always try your best. I am racing as hard as I can. In the past few years we were better in qualifying than in racing, but now we appear to be better off in racing than qualifying. We should improve our qualifying pace a bit and that would be useful."

Villeneuve still not happy with performance    

Formula 1.com

August 3, 2001  

Despite his second third place finish of the season in Germany, Jacques Villeneuve still insists that the team has been 'going backwards'. The 1997 world champion has just announced that he will stay on at BAR with team mate Olivier Panis for the 2002 season and that the team will now concentrate on next year's challenge.

"This year has not been impressive," the French Canadian said. "We are not doing too well and we are not very competitive. All the work we are now doing is more in desperation than in trying to extract the last tenths of a second out of the car.

"The car wasn't born very well this year and it didn't feel right, even in winter testing. We have not improved it as much as the opposition have theirs. It's the same with the engine and I think that its better not to concentrate on this year but really put all our effort into next season."

Team boss, Craig Pollock, was not displeased with Villeneuve's criticism, which he thought perfectly valid but he emphasised the point that the team had improved since the beginning of the season.

"There were so many people criticising the team's performance," he explained. "But it (Jacques' 3rd place) shows how with hard work and finding the right set-up we can come up with a good car.

"We were there to take the podium after a lot of cars fell out but they had mechanical problems and a lack of reliability and we didn't. It's not purely the driving, it is what goes on at the factory which makes this result all the more satisfying because it was such a team effort to get there."

Villeneuve's podium place has enabled them to leapfrog their also Honda powered rivals, Jordan, for the first time this year but they still remain 5th in the constructors' title race. Pollock, however, maybe for the first time this year, is not looking over his shoulder at Jordan but up ahead to Sauber, his next challenge.

"We have to set our sights on fourth place in the constructors' (title) now," he concluded. "I think we are only three points behind Sauber now so we have got a good chance to go for it."

Pollock salutes team effort    

ITV F1

August 2, 2001  

BAR boss Craig Pollock has praised his team for their efforts in the German Grand Prix and has targeted fourth place in the constructors’ standings.

BAR have come in for criticism in recent weeks after slipping back in the battle against their mid-field rivals.

But Jacques Villeneuve’s second podium finish of the year at Hockenheim has proved a timely fillip for the Brackley-based team.

Pollock said: "I got more satisfaction from this race than Spain because there has been so much criticism about the team. It basically shows you that through hard work and finding the right set-up you can do it with this car and that is what I have said all along."

"I have always believed we have got the potential with this car. It is also more satisfying because we can say it was a pure team effort to get there."

Pollock feels that getting both cars to the finish in race of high-attrition is testament to the workers back at the team’s Brackley factory.

"You cannot just simply say we have got a podium because we were there to get the podium," he said. "A lot of cars fell out in front of us, but the reason they fell out in front was because of a lack of reliability and mechanical problems.

"We didn't have that because we worked as a team. It is not just purely the driving and what happens in the garage that matters. It is what happens back at the factory as well."

Pollock now wants BAR to overhaul Sauber in the constructor’s standings. "We have to set our sights on fourth place in the constructors," said Pollock. "I think we are only three points behind it now so we have got a good chance to go for it."

JV not holding back    

ITV F1

August 2, 2001  

Jacques Villeneuve has laughed off his engineer Jock Clear’s claims that he would be driving quicker if he had a better car.

Clear made the comments in the wake of a series of disappointing results for the French Canadian. But after finishing on the podium at Hockenheim, Villeneuve said he is always on the limit, no matter how competitive his car is.

He told Autosport magazine: "It’s nice to know that Jock believes I can go quicker but you always try your best. I am racing as hard as I can.

"In the past few years we were better in qualifying than in racing, but now we appear to be better off in racing than qualifying. We should improve our qualifying pace a bit and that would be useful."

Formula 1.com

August 2, 2001  

Jacques Villeneuve's current trainer and one-time motorcycle racer, Erwin Gollner, has revealed the secret weapon he has developed to help the French-Canadian BAR driver stay fully fit and combat the strains of modern formula1.

"If you see them sitting in the car they are fixed with seatbelts, and you don't really see them moving much in the car," he explained. "But the biggest problem, however, is the g-forces, which means that you always have to hold (on) against something. If you brake, your body moves forward. If you go into a corner, your body wants to go to the side, while at the same time you have to move the steering wheel. The faster the corners are, the more g-force you have, and the heavier the steering wheel becomes.

Formula1 drivers are not, like most other athletes, moving constantly. Racing drivers, Gollner says, have a different set of muscles to develop, as they are not moving like runners or skiers. For those crucial 90 odd minutes they may only be doing movements in a very short way, sometimes just in millimetres.

"You can't compare F1 with other sports," he added. "For a racing driver, it's not necessary that he's a quick runner. And if you look at runners, there are sprinters, 800m runners, and marathon runners. All three train in a different way. They all run, but they have different training. Look at skiers. There's slalom, Super G or downhill. You can't compare one with the other. Every one is a special discipline.

"Drivers do normal aerobic exercises, but also they should do specific training on the neck and so on. In two weeks we have four training days of about six hours each. Jacques (Villeneuve) does gym work, running and cycling. They are all useful for cardiovascular performance. I would say everything helps a little bit, but it's necessary to do specific work as well."

"Usually for young drivers who come into F1 the biggest problem is the neck muscles and dealing with the steering wheel," he added. "It's a little bit easier now with power steering, but it's still very hard."

According to Gollner, Villeneuve's secret weapon is his own personal race simulator designed by the Austrian, which in effect is similar to a larger than life video game.

"He has a copy of the cockpit that he sits in, and which is fixed with seatbelts and a steering wheel. He's working against weights on the steering during a session."

Reluctant to reveal any details about the simulator, Gollner stated that he had made two versions one of which had been installed on Villeneuve's boat in Monte Carlo Harbour.

The dummy cockpit is enclosed, and race conditions - found at some of the tougher races on the schedule - can be matched by computer-controlled temperature and humidity. Villeneuve sits in the cockpit in his racing suit and helmet, and traces a circuit with the steering wheel. The computer records the results, and it's possible to see how his performance is affected by fatigue over a race distance.

Villeneuve can work out by himself as long as he is plugged into his modem as Gollner can monitor his progress via the Internet wherever he is in the world.

Despite the training being quite hard, Villeneuve realises that he must be in top physical shape, and although he would probably prefer to train by following the outdoor activities that he excels at, he still perseveres.

"He likes sports," Gollner concluded. "He likes skiing, he likes water skiing. The training we are doing is a very tough but he knows it is necessary, so he does it."

Formula Magazine

July 15, 2001  

Jacques Villeneuve has declared the British GP a disaster after qualifying in 12th position and falling victim to mechanical failures all weekend. The Canadian has written off any chances of scoring points during the race.

"Trouble started yesterday in practice and it has rapidly gone down hill from there, and to be honest I can't see it improving much either," said Villeneuve. "We had suspension failure in practice and didn't do any running. Then we had problems again in qualifying with the race car so I was jumping to and from the race car because we couldn't get it sorted out."

"We also had terminal understeer and we couldn't do anything, so it was pretty much all a waste of time."

Villeneuve is also hoping that the weather holds up for the race. If it rains the former champ believes that there could be some problems as he has only completed a handful of laps in the wet.

"If it rains we will be in trouble because I have only done three laps in the wet," he said. "I have not done any normal testing in the wet either because whenever I have tested it has never rained."

"I am frustrated because we had a useless qualifying session and we are not in a competitive position at the moment. This year has been a step backwards. We're not as competitive as last year, and we're not as reliable."

British GP qualifying results here.  All the British GP info here.

F1 Live

July 9, 2001  

“Unless something happens that will force me to leave.” 

Recent speculation has linked 1997 world champion, Jacques Villeneuve with the Jaguar Racing outfit after an article appeared in Autosport magazine last week stating that the Milton Keynes outfit has been in discussions with the BAR driver. According to the report, Villeneuve met with Jaguar boss, Bobby Rahal about a possible drive with the team due to the fact that he is unhappy with BAR's progress.

There is a clause in the Canadian's contract that allows him to walk away from the Brackley based squad should they fail to clinch third place in the constructors championship this season. At the present time, it definitely looks as if he will be able to walk away as Ferrari, McLaren and Williams dominate the top three spots on the ladder, however as everyone knows, anything can happen in Formula One.

Bobby Rahal didn't deny that they were interested in Villeneuve's services, however he did emphasize that the teams line-up for 2002 will remain the same with Eddie Irvine and Pedro de la Rosa in charge and any discussions in place were concerning the 2003 season.

“An approach was made by Niki Lauda because he wanted to know exactly what Jacques' position was,” Autosport quoted Rahal as saying. “We had a ‘What are you doing, what is your situation' chat, but that is it. Our drivers, Eddie Irvine and Pedro de la Rosa, are set for next year, so there's no seat for 2002.”

Villeneuve has already stated that he can not see any reason to change teams however he did admit that he has to cover his back, just in case…

"There is not going to be a decision at the moment,” he said. “BAR and I are together for next year unless something happens that will force me to leave. You have to cover your back. BAR have as good a chance as any to be competitive next year.”

F1 Live

July 8, 2001  

''It is not following the spirit of what was written.'' 

1997 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve has lashed out at Michael Schumacher for what he believes is abusing the spirit of Formula One's driving conduct rules. According to the BAR driver the move Schumacher pulled on his younger brother Ralf at the European Grand Prix is stretching the rules too far and should not be done. At the start of the race, Michael who was in pole position, moved across the track to block Ralf, who started next to him on the grid, forcing the Williams driver to back off or face an early retirement and connect with the wall.

The rule on such a maneuver states that a driver can make one move to defend to his position, but is not allowed to weave across the track. However Villeneuve says that while Michael's move on Ralf was legal it should be not be allowed as it is not staying within the spirit of what was written. The Canadian feels that as younger drivers imitate what the person who is winning grand prix's is doing that Schumacher is setting a bad example.

Villeneuve told Autosport: “I think it's a good example of following to the letter what is written in the regulation book even though it is not following the spirit of what was written. Younger races obviously look at what is happening in F1 and who is winning and that is the example that is followed. Everybody knows why (the rule) was written and everybody understands it. It was written so you don't put someone on the grass, so you don't force someone else to hit the brakes.”

He added: “I guess if you just read it as it's written then it allows you to move at any time. That's not the intent of the rule. But I'm sure Michael can understand that because he's ‘Mr. Safety' after all, so I'm sure he's intelligent enough to understand the meaning of the rules.”

F1 Live

July 7, 2001  

“Overall it hasn't caused us too many problems.” 

While the Lucky Strike B.A.R Honda race team headed back to Brackley on Sunday in preparation for the British Grand Prix at Silverstone next week, the test team were arriving in both Monza and Mugello for a rigorous 3 day test split between the two Italian circuits. Putting the disappointment of the weekend behind them, the team made full use of these sessions, working flat out to improve the car.

Splitting the test between two circuits meant that the team could benefit from the specific track characteristics of each. While Monza is a high-speed circuit, providing a good opportunity for brake work, Mugello's combination of medium and high-speed corners, with various gradients of elevation is good for both chassis and set-up work.

The fourth of July saw regular driver Olivier Panis testing at the Mugello circuit, while Darren Manning took to the driving seat on behalf of the team in Monza. Then on Thursday Darren continued for a second day at the Monza circuit, while Jacques Villeneuve headed to Mugello to give Olivier a well earned, albeit short, break.

"I am really pleased with the test here in Mugello,” Olivier said. “I ran over 80 laps and I'm happy with the improvements we've made. We've been testing different tyres as well as new dampers, and the car feels quick so I think we're making good progress."

Then Jacques Villeneuve took to the track in continuation of the program and for the third and final day, development driver Patrick Lemarie completed the program, giving them the opportunity to consolidate their work further. He set a best time of 1:27.009 after completing 75 laps.

The only other team present was Minardi, who were putting Alexander Yoong and Andrea Piccini through their paces. While the Monza circuit sees BAR joined by 4 other teams, the boys in Mugello believe that the only having one other team on the circuit makes a big difference to the team, as Chief Mechanic Alistair Gibson explains…

"For the work we're carrying out here this week it is better that it's quieter - it limits the red flags so you can go out when you want to and get some good laps in. At Silverstone, which was our last test, you can be ready to go out but then there's a red flag which means you have to wait."

David Lloyd, Race Engineer to Olivier Panis, agrees that while they may be lacking the times of other teams to act as benchmarks for the work they are doing, being here with only Minardi for company means that distractions are kept to a minimum….

"Not having other teams here means that we can do things slightly differently. We don't have to worry so much about our times - we can just go through our own program without having to think about what everyone else is up to."

With some of the team in Mugello and the rest in Monza, how complicated is it logistically to divide the test team between two circuits in this way? As Test Team Manager, it's Andrew Alsworth's responsibility to co-ordinate the two tests…

"Having to complete two tests at two different venues has meant the team have been extra busy this week but overall it hasn't caused us too many problems. Having them in the same country has definitely helped and everyone involved has done an excellent job. From a performance point of view it's been an extremely positive test enabling us to gain some very useful data which on a normal week's testing we would not have been able to have."

Some 3 hours drive away in Monza, it's been an equally hectic time for the other half of the test team, with test driver Darren Manning, fresh from his 2 point finish in F3000 at the weekend, happy to be joining the team there….

"I drove here last year and I like, so it's good to be back. It's been a positive test so far – mainly focusing on brake work in an effort to address the problems the team had in Canada. We're encouraged by the progress we've made."

For the final day of what has been a busy week for the BAR test team, Olivier Panis took to the Monza circuit before heading back to Grenoble to spend the weekend with his family, finishing the day eighth overall with a best time of 1.25.507 after 50 laps.

With the 30 degree heat in both Monza and Mugello making working conditions difficult for the drivers and team alike, a team fashion shoot provided a few minutes welcome diversion for the crew. With no shortage of volunteers to pose for a shot with the girls, they took a few minutes welcome break from the heat of the garage to try their hand at life in front of the lens.

Now it's back to business in preparation for the British Grand Prix. Every British team always wants to do well at their home race and Lucky Strike BAR Honda are no exception hence the significant test program in Italy this week.

Pollock believes Villeneuve will stay with BAR    

F1 Live

June 4, 2001  

"If we get our act together I think he'll stay."

BAR boss Craig Pollock believes that if the team gets it's act together and starts winning races Jacques Villeneuve will stay with the team for next season and perhaps longer. Recently stories surfaced that suggested Villeneuve may consider leaving BAR if the team does not finish third in the Constructors' Championship, but Pollock believes that as long as the team improves the 30-year-old will stay on.

Speaking in F1 Racing Magazine Pollock said that having not won a race since 1997 as well as having a poor start to the season had left Villeneuve feeling frustrated at his situation. However he did say that if the team got its act together Villeneuve would consider staying.

Pollock told F1 Racing Magazine: "I think he (Villeneuve) is frustrated he has not had a race win since 1997. I can't remember him having a worse start to a season than this year prior to Spain. If we get our act together, I think he'll stay."

Pollock also rubbished stories about Villeneuve retiring any time soon, asking why people are speaking about the 30-year-old retiring and not about older drivers calling it quits. He said that Villeneuve at the beginning of the season was considered by many to be one of the top three Formula One drivers and nothing has changed since.

He said: "Jacques is 30 and Olivier is 34, and nobody's talking about Olivier retiring, are they? At the start of the season, if you had asked any journalist in F1 who the top three drivers were, they would have said Michael Schumacher, Mika Hakkinen and Jacques Villeneuve. That doesn't change in half a dozen races."

Jacques Q&A with Autosport

Autosport

June 4, 2001  

"Everybody expected us to be useless"

Jacques Villeneuve has never had much luck in Monaco, but from 10th on the grid he put in a solid drive to fourth, catching up with third man Eddie Irvine in the closing laps. Now we head to Montreal, the circuit named after Jacques' father, and the scene of more than a little drama for Villeneuve Jr over the years. He finished second in 1996, but has gone off the road in each of the last four years. He's made two visits to the wall opposite the pits (1997 and 1999), and a couple of kamikaze passing moves that didn't quite work out (on Giancarlo Fisichella in 1998 and Ralf Schumacher last year). Will he get it right this time? Adam Cooper spoke to the Canadian star.

Q: You've never had much luck in Monaco, so are you happy with a fourth place?

"The driving of the track I've always loved, but it's just it has never worked well, mainly in qualifying. I've never had a car that I could really do what I wanted with. But in the race it's always gone much better than qually, and again it was the case. Our race pace was much better than our qually pace. I was just pushing at the end trying to get Eddie to make a mistake, but he didn't. There were no problems at all. The car was very precise. It was a little bit on the nose, a little bit loose, but it stayed strong until the end and the team did a great job at the pit stop as well."

Q: Was it a case of just counting down the places as other people dropped out?

"Yeah, but the quick guys at the front didn't really drop out. Nobody that was slower than us finished in front, which was good. It was great to get a good result before Montreal."

Q: So it's a good boost for you and the team before your home race?

"Yeah, it was important. Apart from the podium it's been a shitty season, so it was very important. Everybody expected us to be useless here, so I'm very happy."

Q: You've had some bad luck in Canada over the years…

"Ninety-seven was probably the worst, when I hit the wall on the second lap. The funny thing is I didn't even think I was going fast. I was just relaxed, and taking it easy, and thinking about the end of the race and what would happen, and I found myself in the wall! It was really weird, and very unexpected. It's not like I was pushing hard and on the limit and then overdrove. That's why I found it a little bit surprising."

Q: You had a terrible time last year with that mix-up in the pits. How frustrating was that?

"Last year we were actually quite fast in the wet, and then we had some stupid radio miscommunication. We were the only car to stop at exactly the perfect moment for the tyres, and that was by luck."

Q: What happened in your shunt with Ralf Schumacher?

"There weren't many laps left, and what's the point of finishing 10th or something? You have to overtake people. So you just go for it. It didn't work out, but that's what racing is, you have to take risks, you shouldn't just sit there. But I wasn't trying to overtake Ralf, I was trying to overtake David, but somehow Ralf ended up to be in the way! I was just going it for it, taking the risk, and it didn't work out, as I outbraked myself. If it went well, there were still enough laps to get sixth. And the car was actually quick in the wet."

Q: What do you think of the Montreal track?

"It's a good race track to race on. Not so much to qualify on, because it's not very interesting, but for racing there are a lot of overtaking opportunities. And the other thing is that the crowd is great, the crowd is very positive towards everybody, and that's good. Normally we've been competitive in Montreal, it's just the races didn't turn out well. But at least we were competitive, so I actually look forward to going there."

Q: Do you get any privacy when you're there?

"Well, during the race week it's a little bit difficult. During the rest of the year people do recognise me, but at the same time it's one of the countries where they are the most respectful, somehow. They don't want to invade you or jump on top of you, as happens in other countries. They'll come up and make a discreet, nice comment instead of pointing with the finger and shouting so everybody turns around. There's a difference."

Q: You're opening your new restaurant this week. Is it a sign that you're putting down roots in Montreal for the future?

"I wouldn't say for the future, just roots in general. It's a little attachment to my home country, to my home town, so I have an excuse to go back once in a while."

Successful test for BAR at Magny-Cours    

Formula 1.com

June 1, 2001  

The British American Racing team have come away from Magny-Cours feeling positive about their three day test.

All three drivers - Jacques Villeneuve, Olivier Panis and Patrick Lemarié - put in their time doing two days' work apiece, evaluating the Bridgestone tyres for the upcoming Canadian Grand Prix in ten days' time.

"Our schedule this week has been very positive," said Panis. "The car felt good and we have been able to continue the programme without any interruptions. We have collected some valuable data and carried out intensive tyre evaluation work."

It was the last time the team would be able to test at the French circuit before the Grand Prix to be held on July 1st at the circuit, in deference to the FIA ruling on testing immediately before a race on the same track. But BAR's Chief Engineer Steve Farrell thought that the data collected so far would help them in the preparations for the race.

"It's been a successful test," he enthused. "We've had good reliability which has meant we've had plenty of track time to work through all the usual things - not only in preparation for the Canadian and French Grand Prix, but also in terms of continuing to improve on traction control, launch starts and general set up work. We're very pleased with the work this week."

"We have had virtually no problems," added test team manager, Andrew Alsworth. "It has been a good three days in extremely hot conditions. The team and the drivers have done an excellent job and we are pleased with what we have achieved."

Panis and Villeneuve to remain teammates?    

F1 Live

June 1, 2001  

"There's a lot of mutual respect.''

Despite the fact that BAR driver Olivier Panis failed to repeat his 1996 victory around the streets of Monte Carlo last weekend, team boss Craig Pollock has nothing but praise for the Frenchman. The Frenchman scored the teams first points of the season and has outqualified his world championship winning teammate three times out of the seven races already contested and up until Villeneuve's fourth place last Sunday, Olivier was ahead of him in the drivers championship.

According to reports, the Brackley based team are that impressed with his performances so far that they are ready to offer Panis a new deal that will see them extend the Frenchman's services. However attention then drifts back to Villeneuve and how the Canadian is coping with being outclassed by the ex-McLaren driver. According to Pollock, Jacques isn't concerned about it in any way, in fact all he sees is a mutual respect between the two men.

"I wouldn't say Jacques has been rattled by Olivier's speed, but there's a lot of mutual respect," said BAR managing director Craig Pollock diplomatically. "In Australia, just before qualifying, Jacques walked over to Olivier and shook his hand. I've never seen him do that to any of his previous teammates. Jacques appreciates what Olivier is bringing to the team. Olivier is extremely good at analysing chassis performance, but he's just as good at analysing engine performance. That's rarer. In both areas his feedback is invaluable for our engineers. But more than that, he gives them more time. I think Honda, in particular, will be happier working with Olivier than with Jacques."

The duo are more than just teammates as they have a strong friendship that goes back a long way. When Olivier suffered a horrific crash in the Canadian Grand Prix several seasons ago, Jacques was a regular visitor in his recuperation period. Olivier agrees with Pollock on the respect issue and instead of being upset if one does better than the other, they enjoy their respective successes.

"Jacques is a charger," Panis praised. "He is giving the maximum all of the time. He has his own style and it's very impressive to watch. I was very happy that he was on the podium in Barcelona and he was happy for me when I finished in the points. We're both here to work together to reach our objectives of points and podium finishes."

Honda set to choose just one team for 2002?    

Autosport

May 30, 2001  

Japanese engine supplier to settle with either Jordan or BAR?

Formula 1 engine-maker Honda is set to re-focus its efforts and supply only one team in Grand Prix racing next year, according to this week's Autosport magazine.

Paddock sources say the Japanese car giant has already decided to concentrate all its resources on just one team, meaning that either Jordan or British American Racing would lose works status for 2002.

Honda currently provides both outfits with identical works V10 engines, but supplying equal equipment to two teams is thought to be diluting its efforts as it attempts to keep up with the progress made by BMW this year.

"I think Honda are being pushed very hard," said BAR team boss Craig Pollock, "because the Mercedes, Ferrari and BMW engines are so good."

Rivalry between the two teams has been rife this season and after slipping down the order last year, Jordan is currently ahead of BAR in the constructors' standings, but only by a single point.
Honda is expected to make the decision as to which team to continue with after the Canadian Grand Prix in 10 days' time.

The Jordan team says it has a contract with Honda which is guaranteed for the next five years, whereas BAR team boss Craig Pollock denies that his team is under any performance clause.
It remains unclear whether the team losing its works status would receive a supply of semi-works Mugen engines as a substitute. Prior to 2001, Jordan ran Honda-based Mugen V10s before being promoted to full works status this year.

BAR are no longer a big money team    

F1 Live

May 30, 2001  

''We've got considerably less money than Ferrari.''

BAR boss Craig Pollock has said that his team is no longer the one with the money like it was three years ago. In 1999 BAR was one of the big money teams, but that was three years ago and a lot has change since. The British American Racing team's budget is now 30 per cent less than the leaders such as Ferrari.

Pollock has said that people must stop thinking that BAR because of its image and look is a big money team because they are not. He said that the team now has to stick to a set budget and if they go over it they have to look for the money like any other team. He added that the team does not have a car manufacturer backing them like some of the other teams, and that the money pit is not all that deep.

Speaking in Formula 1 Magazine Pollock said: "We've got considerably less money than Ferrari. Nobody should ever think that BAR, because of the look and image of it, is full of money. It isn't. We have a finite budget that we have to adhere to and if we go over that budget we have to find the money like everyone else. And we don't have the funding of a car manufacturer behind us. We have expensive drivers, and we have to spend money developing the cars." He added: It's not a bottomless pit you know."

Pollock is determined to succeed    

F1 Live

May 29, 2001  

"The only focus is getting to the top." 

BAR's Craig Pollock is determined to succeed and boost the team to the top of Formula One, where they will be running with the likes of Ferrari, McLaren and Williams, but he realises that it takes time and effort from the whole team. After seven races of the season BAR are presently sixth in the Constructors' Championship on 12 points, with Jacques Villeneuve on seven and Olivier Panis on five.

Pollock is adamant that he is going to make a success of BAR, and that the team will be moving forward in the future and not backwards. He says at the moment the team is stuck in the middle of the field, but he wants to see it right at the top, winning Championships.

In a recent interview with Formula 1 Magazine Pollock said: "Right now we are in the middle of nowhere - we're in no- man's land. We know what it's like to be right at the top. The only focus is getting to the top. I just don't want to do backwards."

BAR finished the 2000 season in fifth place behind Benetton, Williams, McLaren and Ferrari, but this year Pollock is aiming to move up the order, and with Villeneuve and Panis behind the wheel it looks as if the team may be on the move.

Villeneuve Goes Soft    

F1i

May 27, 2001  

F1i.com believes Jacques Villenueve has virtually adopted Olivier Panis' set-up after his new BAR-Honda team-mate showed him a clean pair of heels for the majority of the season.

Jacques Villeneuve has virtually copied the set-up of BAR-Honda team-mate Olivier Panis, according to F1i.com.

The 1997 World Champion is well known for preferring an extreme set-up. His throttle pedal's travel, for instance, is approximately two centimetres, compared to more than two inches for Jenson Button. "This helps me get off the throttle faster if I need to", he explained.

Former IndyCar Champion Villeneuve has gone for an extremely stiff set-up previously, but in Monaco he adopted much softer settings - like his team-mate Olivier Panis.

Villeneuve comfortably outqualified his French team-mate in Monaco, a track that Panis won on in a Ligier in 1996, by 0.2s. Panis has outpaced Villeneuve on many occasions during the season, however, and many believe he was proving the faster of the two drivers.

With a softer set-up, Villeneuve found the pace to beat his team-mate and enjoyed his race thoroughly, finishing fourth. "I really enjoyed that race, more than I enjoyed my podium in Barcelona, because I earned this one," he said. "I am happy to have finished in the points. It's always a tough race and an easy race to make a mistake in but we finished fourth with a car that was a little bit slower. We had a very good set-up this weekend and the team did a fantastic job.

"The car was good and precise and I could push with it all weekend. I kept pushing Eddie although I knew he had a quicker car but he didn't make a mistake. It's been fun."

Another advantage of a softer set-up may be that it does not stress Villeneuve's injured back. He recently revealed that he had a displaced disc as a result of the huge accident with Ralf Schumacher at the Australian Grand Prix that resulted in the death of trackside marshal Graham Beveridge, and that it will take substantial rest to heal. This will not come in the midst of a busy season, and so this new set-up may help Villeneuve avoid further injury.

Pollock: JV to resurge    

Daily F1

May 24, 2001   

BAR Team Boss Craig Pollock believes his driver Jacques Villeneuve will soon be back to top form after a slow start to the year.

Villeneuve, who won the 1997 World Championship for Williams, was affected by the mental and physical trauma arising from his major accident in Australia that claimed the life of a track marshal in early March, and has faced a battle contending with promising team-mate Olivier Panis. He opened his account in Spain with a third place however, and Pollock believes scoring will now be more common after showing more intensity recently.

‘Olivier is doing a very, very good job in the car, and certainly pulling Jacques along,’ said Pollock. ‘I think Jacques has had the worst start to any season that I've seen him having up until now. But he seems to have clicked back in. Certainly in the last test he was very fast in the car. His focus is back again and I think he will be very competitive.

‘He knows he needs to do the business. He knows he needs to do the business in the car. He's very capable of doing it. He's also supported the team all the way through the first two very hard years and done a fantastic job in the first two years, so just to get at him for a couple of bad or poorer performances than we're used to is a little bit hard.’

Pollock dismissed reports that his back was still giving him trouble after the accident.

‘I don't think it is an issue,’ he said. ‘I think Jacques has had an injury from his youth that has been there for years and years and it was maybe aggravated during the Australian incident but I don't think that it is actually affecting him during the race.

Villeneuve is currently 10th in the Championship with four points, while Panis is one place ahead with five.