AUGUST 1, 2006

Kubica replaces Villeneuve

The BMW Sauber F1 Team has announced that Robert Kubica will replace Jacques Villeneuve at the Hungarian Grand Prix. The team issued a statement on Tuesday afternoon saying that after his accident at the German Grand Prix, Villeneuve "has informed us that he is not ready to race" in Hungary. There was no sign that Villeneuve was injured after his crash in Germany. What is interesting in that in his Hungarian GP preview on his website Jacques warned his fans not to expect much.

"I'm not sure how competitive we will be. This is the one track we have got left to go to this season that is a bit of a worry for me," he said. "It is always a very physical and long race, and it is exhausting."

Jacques also feels the Hungarian Grand Prix is one of the boring races on the calendar.

"They have not made much of a change to the circuit and it has not made it any more interesting to drive," he concluded.

There is obviously something going on in Munich as BMW boss Mario Theissen says that "we have not made a decision on who will drive the car either in the remaining races of the season or next year."

The 21-year-old Kubica will become the first pole to race in the Formula 1 World Championship.

"I had prepared myself for a whole year without actually competing in any races, so I'm even happier to get this opportunity," he said. "And I'm proud that the BMW Sauber F1 Team has such confidence in me. I'm determined not to let them down."