BMW seat for Villeneuve not certain

Despite his claim that he has a valid contract for 2006 with Sauber (next year BMW) Jacques Villeneuve would be unwise to take anything for granted. There is no guarantee that the 1997 World Champion will partner up with Nick Heidfeld next season.

Mario Theissen "We have been fully focused on getting Nick under contract for next year in the first instance and now we are looking into the other issue. We all saw that even a world champion cannot return after a period of being out of the sport and be competitive right from the start." Theissen refered to the couple of races the Canadian contested for Renault after the Trulli-transfer to Toyota.

The 2005 season with Sauber didn't get off to a good start for the former Williams F1 and BAR star, with team boss Peter Sauber openly critical of the former champion.

Theissen: "Jacques's first half of the season was certainly not encouraging. But now he's catching up and we just decided we wanted to see him in the second half of the season. We don't see ourselves under any time pressure but that's on our table now. You will see the definite line-up at the first race. Anything can happen in Formula One.

There is said in the Paddock that Villeneuve's manager, Craig Pollock, is already convinced that the Canadian will not get the BMW seat and is working out the fine-print of the compensation package.

A nation of Jacques Villeneuve fans around the globe holds its breath.