Villeneuve’s strange decision

Jacques Villeneuve, the 1997 Formula One Drivers’ Champion with Williams, took the rather strange decision to leave a championship-winning team and sign a contract to drive with the British American Racing (BAR) team in 1999 and beyond. This new team was founded by his friend Craig Pollock and British American Tobacco, following their purchase of the financially struggling Tyrrell team.

The Canadian joined the new team because he liked the challenge of building a team around him and employing highly skilled people, to get from the bottom of the running order to the top. A very big pay-check, and even equity in the team, surely helped him to make the decision.

Villeneuve was joined at BAR by former McLaren test driver Riccardo Zonta for most of the season, and then by Mika Salo for three Grand Prix. Unfortunately, the BAR 01 was chronically unreliable and Jacques failed to finish each of the first eleven races due to mechanical failures or crashing. No points were scored in this first year.

For the 2000 season, his BAR 002 car had a more reliable and powerful works Honda engine, and Zonta was again his teammate. Villeneuve finished fourth at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, and scored points more regularly. Overall, his performances had improved, due to a better built and more reliable car. Villeneuve finished the season seventh with 17 points.

Picture below: Jacques Villeneuve in the BAR 002 – Honda RA000E, at the 2000 Monaco GP, where he finished seventh.