Source: dailyf1.com
- Earl Alexander
Jacques Villeneuve's manager Craig Pollock is used to running a large
motorsports operation as it was he who with funding from British American
Tobacco who took over the former Tyrrell outfit and formed what is now British
American Racing.
However, Pollock is no longer involved with BAR Honda and after his attempted
bid to purchase Arrows Grand Prix came to nothing. Pollock is now looking at the
possibility of running a CART team in 2003 and took time out to visit the Grand
Prix Americas in Miami last weekend to assess the CART situation and also to
meet with CART President Chris Pook.
"Personally, if the right deal came along, I would be quite interested in
starting a team over here because I feel the timing is perfect and CART needs
racers who understand the international scene," Pollock said in an interview
with Robin Miller on CART.com. "It would be very, very difficult for 2003
because time is very short, but I am definitely interested."
Pollock, whose day job is also looking after the interests of Jacques
Villeneuve, has spent some time in negotiation with (Team Player's owner) Gerry
Forsythe regarding the placement of his driver with the team in 2003, in what
would be a one year deal before the former champion returned to BAR in 2004. So
far it seems that while talks are ongoing, there is no deal signed for
Villeneuve to race with the team next year.
"If the right deal was put together, Jacques would come here and drive
again," Pollock stated in the same interview. "He loves CART and he's been
very vocal about it and he's got a lot of issues with the IRL and what it's done
to open-wheel in this country. People might perceive it as a step down, but it
would be a kick in the teeth to Formula One and a big boost for CART."
Speculation and rumour - all unsubstantiated - suggests that Pollock could be
looking to take over what was once Forsythe Championship Racing, which last
raced in 2001 with Bryan Herta in the CART series. Should Pollock move in and
run the team it is not unreasonable to suggest that Jacques Villeneuve would
join his Manager at the Pollock/Forsythe owned team.
While all the rumour and speculation continues, the barriers between CART and
Formula One seem to diminish, with crossover becoming more common by the day.