OCTOBER 29, 2000

Villeneuve happy with BAR progress

BRITISH AMERICAN RACING driver Jacques Villeneuve has said that he is pleased with the progress the team has made throughout 2000 and he already feels confident ahead of the 2001 season.

BRITISH AMERICAN RACING driver Jacques Villeneuve has said that he is pleased with the progress the team has made throughout 2000 and he already feels confident ahead of the 2001 season.

BAR finished in fifth place in the constructors' championship and Villeneuve came seventh in the drivers' championship, only one point behind sixth placed man Giancarlo Fisichella of Benetton.

It was a stark contrast to BAR's debut season, when the team failed to score a single point, and 1997 world champion Villeneuve believes that last season's success is a sign the team are moving in the right direction.

Villeneuve said: "We have made good progress and improved the car throughout the season. We have got to know the car better in terms of set-up which has allowed us to push harder in races and challenge consistently for points.

"The Honda engine started well and the guys have worked throughout the year, but more importantly we have had a car and an engine package that was able to finish races and that has allowed us to finish fifth in the championship."