JULY 3, 2001

Villeneuve says move would be wrong

AS speculation linked British American Racing star Jacques Villeneuve with McLaren, the Canadian racer has suggested his intentions to remain at his current team for next season.

This season has not been as successful as former world champion Villeneuve had hoped, but he still does not want to give up on his dream of taking the team run by friend and manager Craig Pollock to the top.

"Apart from Ferrari, there is nothing clear on who is going to be competitive (in the future)," said Villeneuve.

"We have as good a chance as anyone else apart from Ferrari next year, so after all the hard work that has been put in here (at BAR) it will not probably be the right thing to do to change.

Many believe that Villeneuve has become frustrated at not being among the front running teams, after his Championship win with Williams in 1997, and he does echo this feeling of disappointment.

"It is not easy. It's been difficult because there hasn't been the results for a long time, but we all work hard and that is what matters.

"We have been going backwards lately and there was a reaction, but the tires seem to have improved and that has helped us."