03/08/2006
NEWS STORY
BMW boss Mario Theissen is giving nothing away regarding future of Jacques Villeneuve.
Asked at the Hungaroring whether the Canadian would be back in the team's second car for the Turkish Grand Prix, the German replied: "I don't know.
"We have a decision for this race and we will evaluate the situation after this weekend," he added.
On Tuesday evening the German team issued a press release announcing that Villeneuve had informed it that he would miss this weekend's race as he recovers from his accident at Hockenheim. However, the ambiguity of Theissen's comments, as to who would drive the car in the remaining races, caused many to speculate that there was more to the issue than meets the eye.
BMW 'inherited' Villeneuve when it bought Sauber in mid-2005, the Canadian having an outstanding contract for 2006. Although the Canadian has performed well this season, there has long been speculation as to his future with the German manufacturer.
"There are no guarantees in life," said Theissen. "The intention is to look at the situation after the race, as I previously said. We don't have a decision on the outstanding races of this season and not on next year either. We are just starting to think about next year and this is an opportunity for us to see how Robert (Kubica) copes with a race situation."