JULY 25, 2000
Villeneuve admits BAR progress was the key
Villeneuve ended months of speculation about his future on Monday evening when he committed himself to the Brackley-based team but admitted it had been a tough decision.
"It was a difficult decision, but I am happy to stay with the team after two years of hard work.
"It is rewarding to see progress and I would like to continue with the team and to continue with that progress," he said.
Villeneuve has enjoyed a productive 2000 season, scoring 11 championship points - six of those in last two races - after a fruitless 1999.
His decision to stay with his mentor Craig Pollock on a deal said to be worth £25 million is likely to have repercussions throughout the whole sport as the Canadian was thought to be the fulcrum around whom this year's transfers would be conducted.