Villeneuve: I'll honour my contract

Jacques Villeneuve declined, for once, to allow his heart to overrule his head. Contrary to some expectations, the Canadian Formula One rebel turned up at yesterday's launch of his new British American Racing car - the day after the shock resignation as team boss of his close friend and confidant Craig Pollock.

Villeneuve said he was 'dumbfounded' by the departure of the man who has been like a surrogate family to him since the death of his father Gilles, but pledged that he would honour his £6million, one-year contract with the Brackley-based team.

Yet his future may well depend on the relationship he is able to develop with Pollock's replacement, former rally personality and Benetton chief executive Dave Richards. There is speculation that the 1997 world champion could move to Renault in exchange for 21-year-old Jenson Button.

Villeneuve, in subdued mood after jetting in from Montreal where he was competing in a ski event with Pollock, said: 'When I heard the news about Craig I was surprised. It came from nowhere. No-one bothered calling me to explain.

'Craig was part of me being here - and staying when there were offers from elsewhere. 'We will have to see how it goes when testing begins in January, but I am contracted for another year and expect to be racing in Melbourne in March.' Richards, who made Subaru a winning team and himself a multi-millionaire, also anticipates Villeneuve remaining at BAR in 2002. He said: 'I understand Jacques' disappointment and I sympathise with that.'

Asked if he would allow an unhappy Villeneuve to leave, Richards said: 'I would take whatever tough decisions are required to make BAR a winning team.'