Following last week's revelation that Jacques Villeneuve wishes to rejoin BAR, and has spoken to team boss David Richards, the Canadian has reiterated his desire to rejoin the team that was originally built around him.

Speaking in the wake of Jenson Button's announcement that he is to move to WilliamsF1 - subject to the Contract Recognition Board - Villeneuve believes that previous differences between he and Richards can be put aside and that the Canadian can complete his "unfinished business".

"BAR needs someone that can adapt to the team very quickly," he told Autosport magazine. "I'm experienced, I know what it takes to win and I've won before. I've been with the team through the hardest time and we all survived it together until this year, until everything changed. So it's unfinished business and that means I'm very hungry."

Almost from the moment Richards was appointed team boss - in a shock move, just hours before the launch of the 2002 car - it was clear that Villeneuve was not the Englishman's preferred driver. The arrival of Jenson Button confirmed that.

The relationship gradually deteriorated, not helped by various parties running to the press at every turn, or the atrocious reliability of the Canadian's car.

In late 2003, rumours were circulating, suggesting that Villeneuve would not see out the season with the team, with Takuma Sato saying - and subsequently denying - that he would be driving alongside Button in Japan. Sure enough in a 'last minute' move, Sato drove the BAR at Suzuka and Villeneuve's F1 career appeared to be over.

"We've cleared that," said Villeneuve. "Anything personal is always difficult to clear because you are in the middle of its and it's hard to have a perspective. I've led my life always shutting the book on the past and going forwards. So there's no reason to do it differently now."

Of course, this is Villeneuve's side of the story. Richards has already confirmed that he has spoken to the Canadian but was at pains to emphasise that he has spoke to a number of drivers.

The seat at BAR - and let's not forget, there could be two vacancies at Brackley - is one of the hottest in F1, and there are many drivers that would like to be considered.

According to reports, Villeneuve has undergone something of a change of attitude, and is genuinely keen to return to racing, and even willing to accept some of the additional work (PR) that goes with the job.

We hear that he has been working hard on his fitness ensuring that he is ready for that phone call at any time, whist it is clear that he is now far more talkative as far as the media is concerned.

As to whether British American Racing is prepared to give him another try or not, only time will tell. However there are many people within the industry, including Bernie Ecclestone, who want him back, and are fully aware of the value of his name.