|
Jacques Villeneuve has warned his British American Racing team that
it faces a huge task in trying to salvage the 2002 Formula One
season.
Villeneuve has set finishing seventh in the drivers' standings as
his goal for the season, a lofty expectation given he has yet to
register a point through the first three races of the year.
"We can salvage the season maybe, but we won't be
competitive," the Iberville native told Britain's Press
Association. "We have to shoot for what we can.
"In the last two years I've been seventh in the drivers'
championship, which is right after the top three teams. I still
believe we can do that again, but it's still not a nice
number."
Villeneuve, who turned 31 on Wednesday, knows even his
comparatively low goal will be difficult to attain with BAR likely
to struggle to finish in the top five in the manufacturers'
standings.
"There are three teams that cannot be beaten for us anyway -
Williams, Ferrari and McLaren," Villeneuve said. "If we
can be just behind them then that would be a salvage.
"But I doubt if we can beat Sauber also as they are going to
be very competitive. Then there is Renault. Team-wise, being in the
top five doesn't sound good, but it will be hard for us to be in the
top five this year."
10th in Brazil
Villeneuve finished 10th in the Brazilian Grand Prix last month
after being forced to retire from the event with two laps remaining
because of engine trouble.
"Brazil was another disappointing race for us," he
said. "I'm not expecting to see any major improvement in Imola,
but we seem to be moving in the right direction. The car felt a
little better on race day in Brazil, so hopefully we can build on
that."
Villeneuve resumes racing action this weekend at the San Marino
Grand Prix in Imola, Italy.
"I like coming to Imola, it's a good track, the people are
very passionate and the Italian food is delicious," Villeneuve
said. "The team has been quite competitive here in the past and
it would be nice to fight for some points."
Staff overhaul
Villeneuve supports chief David Richards's recent staff overhaul,
which saw the departure of engineering chief Malcolm Oastler and
head of design Andy Green.
Villeneuve insists his dream to make the BAR squad, which he
joined in 1999, a major Formula One force is still possible and has
hinted he will stay with the team next year.
"As I have been here since the beginning, I still want to
have success with this team and bring this team to victory,"
said Villeneuve, who won the world title with Williams in 1997.
"Now it looks like this could allow us to do that. Big changes
have happened now, so I want to see what these changes bring.
"We won't see anything happening in the next month or two.
We need to get the ball rolling, get everything working well
together. What's happened has given a kick in the pants to
everyone."
And Villeneuve said change was needed to create a sense of
urgency.
"Everybody in the team was very comfortable before and was
protected," he said. "But now everybody knows that if the
job isn't done, then a door might open, and it isn't a door to come
in, but to go out. That's not a bad thing.
"If we had been winning, then comfort would not have been a
bad thing. But we weren't winning and the comfort was there. That's
what was wrong.
"If you are at the back of the pack and still everybody is
happy about it, then that means there is something wrong."
|
