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Villeneuve pulls out of race
http://www.sina.com.cn 2003/10/10 14:41  Shanghai Daily

  Jacques villeneuve's season, and perhaps his Formula One career, came to an abrupt end yesterday.

  Villeneuve's manager Craig Pollock informed British Ameri-can Racing that the former world champion wished to be released from his contractual obligations and would not take part on Sunday's season-ending Japan Grand Prix at the Suzuka circuit.

  "I wanted Jacques to drive this weekend," said BAR team boss David Richards. "I have not spoken to him personally but if he's not in the right frame of mind to drive you can't put it on him."

  The move comes two days after Japanese driver Takuma Sato was named as Villeneuve's replacement for the 2004 season. Sato will team up with Jenson Button in Sunday's race.

  Even though BAR had said earlier that Villeneuve would drive at Suzuka, speculation was high that the 32-year-old Canadian would pull out of the race after BAR announced last week they would not renew his contract for the 2004 season.

  "It's disappointing he won't be here for his final race," said former teammate Button. "He's had a very up and down time and it's disappointing to see him leave Formula One."

  "Maybe it's not the nicest way to finish the season or an F-1 career," said Kimi Raikkonen. "Sometimes it just goes like that."

  Villeneuve is considered too expensive for most teams to pursue - BAR can't even afford to resign him at his going rate, an estimated US million.

  While his contract with BAR was cited as a major sticking point, Richards denied that was the sole reason for the decision not to bring Villeneuve back.

  "It was a whole range of issues that were involved," said Richards. "The reality is the team did not deliver the performance we wanted and, quite frankly, we had to shake things up."

  F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone said he wants Villeneuve to retain a spot on the grid but has said there isn't much interest in signing him for 2004.

  Villeneuve has said he would take a pay cut if it means driving for a team that can win races.

  While villeneuve has never won a race for BAR, he did give the team its first podium finishes in 2001 when he was third in Spain and Germany, and finished seventh in the drivers' standings.

  He joined the team for its inaugural season in 1999, two years after winning the Formula One drivers' championship with Williams. He failed to score a point for BAR in 1999.

  In 1996 he moved into Formula One racing after two stellar seasons in CART, capturing that series' rookie-of-the-year award with the Player's Racing Team in 1994, and then winning the drivers' championship in 1995, the same year he won the Indy 500.

  Villeneuve is currently tied for 14th in the drivers' standings, more than 80 points behind five-time champion Michael Schumacher. His best results this year were sixth-place finishes in Italy and Brazil.

  Sato is a good deal for BAR beca-use his addition to the 2004 lineup guarantees added interest from the Japanese and extra finance in terms of sponsorship deals.

  Villenueve's apparent departure is the second blow to Canada's representation on the prestigious F1 circuit. The Canadian Grand Prix was left off the 17-race schedule for 2004 due to the Canadian government's refusal to soften a law banning tobacco advertising after October 1.




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