- News>
- Motorsports
Villeneuve out in the cold as BAR picks Sato for 2004
Tokyo, Oct 08: Japanese driver Takuma Sato was unveiled on Tuesday as BAR`s replacement for former world champion Jacques Villeneuve for the 2004 Formula One season.
Tokyo, Oct 08: Japanese driver Takuma Sato was unveiled on Tuesday as BAR's replacement for former world champion Jacques Villeneuve for the 2004 Formula One season.
"There comes a time in all relationships where you have to move on. That is the simple explanation," BAR managing director Dave Richards told a news conference. "Some people think it was a pre-determined decision taken a long time ago but I can contradict that completely.
It came after long debate and the decision was taken internally."
The 26-year-old Sato raced for Jordan last season but returned to BAR as a test driver for 2003. He will partner Briton Jenson Button for the Honda-powered BAR next year.
Villeneuve, who won the 1997 title for Williams, will drive his last race for BAR at the season-ending Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka on Sunday.
"These situations are never easy," said Richards, who informed Villeneuve by telephone last week. "I rang Jacques in Los Angeles. I didn't want him to hear the news second-hand. He was probably tired and had just woken up. It was not the best time to talk about it.
"I'm sure we'll follow up on that at the weekend. The Japanese Grand Prix will be his last race for the BAR team...but I hope Formula One has not seen the last of Jacques."
Instantly recognisable with his dyed hair and hip-hop style of dressing, Villeneuve burst on to the Formula One scene in 1996 when he seized pole position in his first race and almost won it.
However, the 32-year-old could now be forced to bid farewell to the sport since the top teams have announced their line-ups for 2004.
Sato, meanwhile, who tested for BAR in 2001 before joining Jordan last season, vowed to build on his fifth-place finish at Suzuka last year.
"Of course, you dream of winning races but all I can do is give 100 percent and try to improve on that fifth place at Suzuka," said the Honda protege. "In 2001, I was focusing mainly on Formula Three but I have a year of F-1 racing experience behind me now and I'm a completely different driver."
Richards, too, insisted that promoting Sato was a positive step for BAR, which was founded in 1999. "We are on the right track...for the 2004 season. We have the fresh energy of Takuma Sato and a formidable combination of experience and speed," he said.
Button is 12th in the 2003 world championship standings with 12 points with Villeneuve 15th on six points. BAR are sixth in the constructors' standings.
Bureau Report
"These situations are never easy," said Richards, who informed Villeneuve by telephone last week. "I rang Jacques in Los Angeles. I didn't want him to hear the news second-hand. He was probably tired and had just woken up. It was not the best time to talk about it.
"I'm sure we'll follow up on that at the weekend. The Japanese Grand Prix will be his last race for the BAR team...but I hope Formula One has not seen the last of Jacques."
Instantly recognisable with his dyed hair and hip-hop style of dressing, Villeneuve burst on to the Formula One scene in 1996 when he seized pole position in his first race and almost won it.
However, the 32-year-old could now be forced to bid farewell to the sport since the top teams have announced their line-ups for 2004.
Sato, meanwhile, who tested for BAR in 2001 before joining Jordan last season, vowed to build on his fifth-place finish at Suzuka last year.
"Of course, you dream of winning races but all I can do is give 100 percent and try to improve on that fifth place at Suzuka," said the Honda protege. "In 2001, I was focusing mainly on Formula Three but I have a year of F-1 racing experience behind me now and I'm a completely different driver."
Richards, too, insisted that promoting Sato was a positive step for BAR, which was founded in 1999. "We are on the right track...for the 2004 season. We have the fresh energy of Takuma Sato and a formidable combination of experience and speed," he said.
Button is 12th in the 2003 world championship standings with 12 points with Villeneuve 15th on six points. BAR are sixth in the constructors' standings.
Bureau Report