By pitpass.com (09/11/2003)
November 9 2003

The Canadian media is reporting that ex-Lucky Strike BAR Honda driver Jacques Villeneuve's manager Craig Pollock is attempting to purchase a drive for the former World Champion in 2004. It's understood Pollock has enlisted the help of Slam Management, a Montreal based sports marketing outfit to approach various companies - mostly in Quebec - to raise enough money, thought to be around $5m, to buy the second seat at Jaguar.

We've previously reported that reliable sources had informed us that Villeneuve has already approached the Milton Keynes outfit and offered to drive on a performance related basis but was politely told that to get the second seat he would need to provide funding.

Villeneuve is up against stiff opposition with Alexander Wurz and Jos Verstappen both said to be in with a chance of landing the drive, thanks to healthy sponsorship packages.

It's understood that Slam Management has approached almost thirty potential backers so far, but with little success.

There has to be something very wrong when a former World Champion, CART Champion and Indy 500 has to pay for a drive, and something even more wrong when potential sponsors - particularly Canadian - can't see the value of the name Villeneuve.

This article was written by pitpass.com and is used with permission.