Formula One news

Villeneuve feels let down by BMW

This morning BMW announced that it has terminated its contract with Jacques Villeneuve. Both BMW and Villeneuve came to that agreement after the team was unable to guarantee Villeneuve a seat in the remainder of the season.

When BMW announced Robert Kubica would replace Jacques Villeneuve for the Hungarian Grand Prix their statement said Villeneuve was still not well enough after his crash at Hockenheim. According to Villeneuve it was more a case of BMW wanting to give Kubica a test opportunity to race in Hungary, without offering Villeneuve any guarantee that he would return to his race-seat at the next race in Turkey.

And it's that, that eventually caused the breakdown in the relationship and resulted in the two parties going their separate ways.

"Last week, the team informed us of its decision to review its options for next year, including assessing Robert Kubica in a race environment at Hungary without offering me any assurance about my race seat beyond Hungary," said Villeneuve. "Therefore, the team and I agreed to part ways with immediate effect."

"This is really disappointing as I was looking forward to working with BMW on longer terms - going into next season capitalising on our common experiences. I will now have more time to concentrate on future projects."

"Finally, I would like to thank the team, especially my engineers and the team's sponsors with whom I have had real pleasure working with in the last year."

more news

• 07 Jan.
  • Ecclestone reveals September deadline for Donington
  • Ferrari willing to supply 'Honda' with engines
  • Brawn says Honda won't test before season
• 06 Jan.
  • Ferrari to use electronic pitstop system in 2009
  • Kubica to start karting team
  • Webber's recovery going well
  • Ferrari to reveal new car next week
  • Stewart hits out at Ecclestone and Mosley
• 05 Jan.
  • Red Bull's RB5 to debut in February
  • Suspended sentence and fine for Verstappen
  • Berger confirms Buemi for STR
• 04 Jan.
  • Kubica expecting more accidents
• 03 Jan.
  • Encouraging news for Donington
• 02 Jan.
  • Di Resta still hopeful of F1 drive
  • "Title loss would have damaged Hamilton's reputation"
• 01 Jan.
  • Hakkinen supports medals system
• 31 Dec. '08
  • Kubica: Next year is a big challenge
  • Hakkinen: Vettel will soon be a Formula 1 champion
  • Hamilton receives MBE award
  • Heidfeld expects more accidents in 2009
• 30 Dec. '08
  • Hamilton to join Madame Tussauds
  • Ecclestone: Button should take a sabbatical
  • Manager: Alonso would love to join Ferrari one day
  • Changes at Toro Rosso
• 29 Dec. '08
  • Hamilton to miss victory parade in Woking
  • Alonso to join Ferrari in 2011?
  • Mexican billionaire denies Honda bid
• 28 Dec. '08
  • Mexican buyer for Honda?
• 27 Dec. '08
  • F1 drivers positive on Algarve circuit
• 26 Dec. '08
  • Montezemolo says KERS introduction is a mistake
• 25 Dec. '08
  • Season's greetings from GPUpdate.net
• 24 Dec. '08
  • Massa against proposed pay cut
  • Ferrari undecided over Schumacher future
  • Karthikeyan not interested in joining Force India
  • Mosley: Finding a successor won't be easy
  • Ecclestone won't split teams - Howett
  • Mosley may still try to continue
• 23 Dec. '08
  • WSR team Draco teams up with Force India
  • Howett: Ecclestone not able to split FOTA
  • Toyota committed to Formula 1

Homepage