Villeneuve to stay at BAR in 2004

JV Unsure for 2004
By Phil Huff (25/04/2003)
April 25 2003

Takuma Sato is not guaranteed a racing seat at BAR next year, team principal David Richards has insisted, directly contradicting the Japanese driver.

BAR's third driver told reporters at Imola's Enzo e Dino Ferrari circuit at the weekend that he expects to replace either Jacques Villeneuve or Jenson Button in 2004.

"I have a three year deal with BAR, of which only one year is as third driver," Sato commented. "So put it this way - I expect to race for the team in '04."

With photogenic Button holding a firm contract for next year, out of contract Canadian Jacques Villeneuve was looking the most likely of the current drivers to get the boot.

But David Richards has moved to dispel the early onset of silly-season by insisting that BAR's 2004 line-up is likely to boast Jacques and Jenson yet again.

The team boss, who has made no secret that Villeneuve's substantial pay deal was hurting the team, has reportedly opened negotiations with predecessor Craig Pollock, who also manages JV, over a contract extension.

He told ITV "You might read stories suggesting that Sato has a contract to race for us next year. This is not the case.

"We have some options but nothing is decided yet about Jacques and he is going really well. We have two drivers who are pushing one another, why would we want to change that?"