DECEMBER 29, 2001

Villeneuve will make decision on BAR future after first test

JACQUES VILLENEUVE has indicated that he will decide on whether or not to stay with British American Racing after his first test in the BAR 004 which starts at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya on 7 January.

Villeneuve's commitment to the team has been severely stretched by the toppling of its founder Craig Pollock, Jacques's personal manager, and it is clear that the Canadian is wary of the new regime under incoming team principal David Richards.

"I have a contract, but Craig was a big part in me staying at the team when the contract was re-signed," said the 1997 World Champion. "So now we'll have to see how the atmosphere in the team is before the season, and how the car is. If it's a winning car, then that would be a positive thing. But what matters is what I feel when I sit in it.

"But if you don't want to be somewhere, then there are other teams you can try to go to. Of course, after a few years with bad results it becomes more difficult to find a welcoming house."

Villeneuve has also made it clear that he feels that Geoff Willis's imminent arrival as technical director from the BMW Williams F1 team will be a very positive development for the team.