By Phil Huff
June 16 2005

Ex-BAR racer Jacques Villeneuve failed to resist putting the boot into his old team today, describing BAR Honda as big-headed and arrogant. Villeneuve, who was outperformed by Jenson Button in his last season at BAR, left the team before the final race after falling out with then boss David Richards.

Following that, the team managed to raise their game and secured second place in the championship last year. This year the luck isn't on BAR's side, and Jacques knows why.

"After last season," Villeneuve told the Indy Star, "they became big-headed and arrogant again. Suddenly, they're back where they were when they started. If you've never been at the top, it's not a problem. But once you get a glimpse of what you can get when you reach the summit, then it's hard."

Many blame previous boss David Richards for Villeneuve's departure from the team, despite Jacques being offered a contract to race in 2004. Richards was, however, critical of Villeneuve's performances, saying similar things to those Jacques' current boss Peter Sauber has been saying recently.

"He [David Richards] has a big ego problem. He was on a mission to destroy me, and I don't know why. He kept saying my salary was draining the budget, but it never came from there. If that changed, it wasn't my concern because I didn't force them into that contract. At the end of the day, he got removed when people found out what he was doing.

"The media gets wined and dined, then starts believing whatever's said. And there's nothing you can do about it."

Villeneuve, currently languishing behind inexperienced team mate Felipe Massa in the championship standings, remains outspoken, even if that has affected his career. "I paid a high price in the past, and I'm still here," says the 1997 World Champion. "I'd rather just remain myself, and if it annoys everybody, well, that's too bad. The thing I've found out is that you can't erase what has been achieved in the past; that will remain. So I can say what I want."