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British American Racing team principal David Richards has
rubbished recent widespread stories that Jacques Villeneuve will
have to take a pay cut if he is to keep his drive with team next
year.
The rumours were widely publicised in Austria and confused many
who understood that the 1997 World Champion had a firm contract for
next year, in which his salary was already clearly stipulated.
"That is the situation," Richards said in Monaco.
"Basically, I've got no choice but to pay him 25 percent of our
budget, which is a bit of a frustrating situation but you have to
say that Craig Pollock [Richards' predecessor and Villeneuve's
manager] did a very good deal..."
Villeneuve's three-year deal with the team is understood to have
rewarded him by a figure close to 50 million dollars and, privately,
team members are concerned that his fat pay cheque will inevitably
compromise the team's development in other areas.
No other team in the paddock has the inclination to pay that kind
of money for Villeneuve, and Richards poured cold water on any
suggestions that McLaren might be interested in him.
Concerning his own relationship with Villeneuve, Richards said:
"There is no problem there at all. He's a very fast driver and
we get along fine. It can be a bit difficult as regards the
promotional side, but I can work around that."
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