May 14: Jacques Villeneuve says BAR-Honda need to consider a change of tactics if the team's reliability problems continue. The Canadian was highly critical after the Spanish Grand Prix when an engine fire forced him to retire for the second time in four races. Former world champion Villeneuve did not even start in Malaysia. He has been compromising his grid position - he has been out-qualified three times in five attempts by team-mate Jenson Button - to concentrate on race strategy. But he knows that is a waste of time if the car is not going to reach the finish and reckons there must be a re-think before this weekend's Austrian GP at the A1-Ring. He said: "We will have to make a decision on whether we just want to make the most out of qualifying and qualify on low fuel." The alternative, he added, was to continue to concentrate on race strategy throughout the weekend. "Hopefully we are in a position to not only finish the race but to get some points," Villeneuve said. "Although it has been difficult to accept all the problems we have been experiencing on the car I am really looking forward to the race." Villeneuve, who has not won a race since winning the world title with Williams-Renault in 1997, is desperate to be a competitive force in F1 again. The 32-year-old is being linked with a move to Renault for 2004 with his future at BAR-Honda the subject of intense speculation. Villeneuve is in the final year of his current contract, and test driver Takuma Sato wants hoping to partner Button next season.

Bureau Report