Updated again!: So Jacques is out of BAR (and Takuma's in already at Suzuka!).

[ales]

Pitpass story

Originally Posted by pitpass

According to reports coming out of Canada, 1997 F1 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve has been told by BAR boss David Richards that his services will not be required in 2004.
TSN reports that Villeneuve's manger Craig Pollock has confirmed that the driver received a phone call from Richards earlier this week advising him that his contract would not be renewed after next week's Japanese GP.

Although BAR has yet to make any sort of official announcement, if it's true it brings months of speculation to an end.

It's widely known that there was little love lost between Richards and Villeneuve and that neither appreciated the others' way of working.

Whereas it looks certain that Honda will have its way and put Takuma Sato in the second BAR, Villeneuve's options seem almost non-existent. Virtually all the top drives have been taken and as pitpass recently revealed the Canadian's offer to drive for Jaguar on a pay for points basis was turned down.

The only other teams that currently have vacant seats are Jordan and Minardi, with the second seat at Sauber seemingly reserved in for Felipe Massa.

For some time there has been speculation that Sato might replace Villeneuve in the final round of this year's World Championship, the Japanese star taking an emotional fifth place in 2002, however neither BAR nor Honda has indicated that this will happen.

What ae his options now? Only Minardi and Jordan have free seats and I cannot see him going to any of the teams. OK, a possible one at Jaguar, but pitpass say he has been turned down there as well. So return to CART?

[z33guy]

He pretty much said he was too good for cart, but i bet his washed up ass ends up there in the end. Shouldve stayed at williams guy

Seriously tho, i dont think he would take a minardi drive after being at BAR for that long. BAR is just a step up. With players being forced out of champ cars, i dont think he has much of a chance there. I dont think he's worth the money he wants to drive.

[crayzayjay]

Bye Jacques

[Guido]

Wait a minute...

Wasn't Frank Williams saying that his driver line-up would be a huge surprise for 2004? It is also common knowlegde that FW and RS are not getting along very well.

We might be in for a surprise move and seeing JV back in a Williams seat next year... FW has been praising JV too much lately.

[ales]

I agree, Guido, Frank's been sweetening up JV for a few weeks now it seems. But the most likely of the unlikely scenarios that I can see at the moment is Montoya driving for your team already next season...

[Sexy beast]

Poor Jaques, he needs a loving home.

[ales]

Takuma Sato was confirmed to be Jenson Button's teammate next year.

Link

At long last the speculation ends as British American racing confirms that Takuma Sato will line-up alongside Jenson Button in 2004.
A short while ago the team unveiled the former Jordan star as its second driver for next season and subsequently issued the following press release:

Lucky Strike BAR Honda announce that Takuma Sato will complete the 2004 driver line-up, alongside Jenson Button who enters his second year with the team. BAR have taken up their option on the 26-year-old Japanese, which will see him moving up from his current role as the team's third driver.

Takuma's first year in Formula One came courtesy of BAR when he tested for the team in 2001. He impressed the team with his speed that year, but with no race seat available for 2002, Takuma decided to accept an offer from Jordan to race for them and gain more experience. BAR retained a close interest in his progress and he returned to the team as third driver in 2003 with valuable experience under his belt, which he has consolidated with a year spent testing with the team.

David Richards, BAR Team Principal: "The team very much appreciates Jacques Villeneuve's commitment over the past five years. However, as his contract with the team has come to an end, we believe this is the appropriate time to refresh the driver line-up.

"We welcome Takuma as Jenson's team-mate for 2004. He has done an excellent job for us in testing this year and has confirmed our long-held belief that he has enormous potential. Takuma is widely regarded as a very fast driver and he has had a meteoric rise to Formula One. When he drove for Jordan in 2002 he had just four years' prior racing experience and during that first season we saw flashes of brilliance, which he underlined with an impressive performance in the Japanese Grand Prix last year. After a further year of testing with BAR in 2003, we firmly believe that he deserves the opportunity to translate his natural speed into consistent race performances.

"With Jenson moving into his fifth season in Formula One and his second with BAR, he will provide the counter-balance of experience alongside the fresh enthusiasm of Takuma. A young and hungry driver line-up is essential for us to move closer to achieving our Championship ambitions."

Takuma Sato: "Of course, I am extremely happy to be confirmed as race driver for BAR next year. This is what I have been working hard all year to achieve and now that the decision is made I am looking forward to proving myself again in the team next year. "A year out of racing has been tough for me, but I am confident that the work we have done this year in testing has been extremely valuable in helping me and the team become a strong partnership. I have built good relationships with many people in the team this year and feel very positive that together we can be successful next season. Now, of course, I can't wait to start the build-up to the Australian Grand Prix in March."

Commenting on behalf of the team's title sponsor Lucky Strike, Jimmi Rembiszewksi, Marketing Director for British American Tobacco, said: "We would like to pay tribute to Jacques Villeneuve's determination to succeed over the past five years. He made a courageous decision to join BAR and put his career in the hands of the challenging and innovative individuals who founded the team. We wish him every success in the future and we look forward to Takuma demonstrating his true potential next season."

Takeo Kiuchi, Honda F1 Project Leader: "Everyone at Honda is looking forward to working with Takuma again next year. We have all been very impressed with the development work he has done this season and we are sure all that effort will be turned into race results next year. I would also like to offer my thanks to Jacques for his support over the four years that Honda have been with the team. We wish him every success for the future."

OMG! What a surprise!!! Not

[crayzayjay]

Originally Posted by Sexy beast

Poor Jaques, he needs a loving home.

doesnt deserve one if you ask me...

[Guido]

Originally Posted by crayzayjay

doesnt deserve one if you ask me...

Probably not if you show the same level of loyalty JV has been showing for the last 4 years...

[ales]

Originally Posted by huudo

Probably not if you show the same level of loyalty JV has been showing for the last 4 years...

Yeah ... loyalty to money ... second only to Schumacher as far as salary is concerend. More than Kimi, Montoya, and all the rest for that matter. And loyalty as in when he slagged off his new teammate that he "had no respect for" and said that he'd quit if he's beaten by Button. Well, Jenson rather soundly beat him in qualifying and in races, yet Jacques still had to be "helped" quitting.

Originally Posted by Bernie's words in an F1-article

“I did everything possible to talk teams into giving Jacques a drive for next season but the truth is no one wants him,” Ecclestone told The Sun. “I still regard him as a great racer but he needs a team that would give him extra motivation.”

He's good when he has a good day, but in all honesty I'd rather give Sato a chance - I do feel he has a lot of potential. But we'll see next year.

[crayzayjay]

Originally Posted by huudo

Probably not if you show the same level of loyalty JV has been showing for the last 4 years...

probably so if he shows the same kind of form he has in the last 4 years

besides, as Alex just said, his loyalty is to money, and his obnoxious nature leaves me totally unmoved by the departure of this washed up has-been. he got what he deserved

[ales]

Takuma Sato will replace Jacques at Suzuka this weekend after Jacques through his manager Craig Pollock informed his (now former) team that he doesn't want to participate in the final race of the season...

[z33guy]

drag

i understand his reasons, if it was anywhere but japan i would say taku would plant atleast 2 cars in the tire wall over the weekend., but ill give him a chance this weekend after last year.

[Layla's Keeper]

Yay! No more of "l'enfant terrible". God, I love Gilles (as a driver) but the boy needed a good caning. His arrogance was totally unfounded and he hung around three seasons too long, draining BAR out of the money they needed to be competitive. BAR is the remnants of the great Tyrrell team. They desered better than to be Villeneuve's personal scapegoat.

Jacques, piece of advice, follow Mika and Damon's lead and take retirement gracefully. Or do like Johnny Herbert and run some sports car races. Just shut up while you're doing it.

[Sexy beast]

Originally Posted by Layla's Keeper

Jacques, piece of advice, follow Mika and Damon's lead and take retirement gracefully. Or do like Johnny Herbert and run some sports car races. Just shut up while you're doing it.

But Hakkinen and Hill didn't retire for the same reasons Jaques needs to. JV got spoiled from early success.