AUGUST 9, 2000

Villeneuve joins criticism of Schumacher

BRITISH AMERICAN RACING driver Jacques Villeneuve has joined the barrage of criticism of championship leader Michael Schumacher -- and insisted the German couldn't take the heat.

BRITISH AMERICAN RACING driver Jacques Villeneuve has joined the barrage of criticism of championship leader Michael Schumacher -- and insisted the German couldn't take the heat.

The Canadian, who has vowed to aim for a podium finish this weekend, insisted Schumacher was unable to listen to the opinions of the rest of the grid.

"Aggression has become involved only because he will not listen to other drivers' opinions," he said. "It goes in one ear and out the other. He entrenches himself behind the impression that we want him harm."

Villeneuve also warned BAR that he was not prepared to accept another disappointing season next year, despite signing a contract extension to remain with the Brackley-based team.

"If BAR do not achieve anything next year I'll be gone by the end of 2001. The reason I decided not to join Benetton because it would have been entering unknown territory."

But despite his reservations, Villeneuve insisted that he could well be in line for a favorable result at the Hungaroring where he retired with clutch problems in 1999.

"If the weekend goes well, we might have a small shot at the podium," he added.