By Phil Huff (01/08/2003)
August 1 2003

Reigning World Champion Michael Schumacher has finally put to bed the possibility of Lucky Strike BAR Honda's star driver Jacques Villeneuve joining Ferrari. During the Thursday press conference Michael was asked about the possibility of Jacques joining the Italian team. "I have no feelings about that honestly," replied Michael. "There have been plenty of rumours and we know the media, how easy it is to make a rumour so it's probably one of them."

"I don't see any seriousness in that honestly," he continued, before mischievously adding "I think we want to improve our situation."

British tabloid newspaper The Sun then ran to Villeneuve for a reaction, but didn't get the one they wanted.

"He said that?" commented Villeneuve. "I'm not going to bite back. Things that have happened are in the past and they should be left there.

"As for the rumours about Ferrari, goodness knows where they have come from. I am talking to people and, while I'm not prepared to say who with, I expect to be in Formula One next year."

"I sense that some teams are interested," he told F1 Racing magazine. "I sense their respect and it makes me feel good."

Sensing respect won't get a drive however, and with no berth at Ferrari or Renault, it looks like it could be another year at BAR for the Canadian.