BAR to announce 2004 line up

BAR will announce its 2004 driver line up at a press conference in Tokyo tomorrow, October 7th, just a few days before the final race of the season. The announcement comes hot on the heels of Jacques Villeneuve being informed the team will not ...

BAR will announce its 2004 driver line up at a press conference in Tokyo tomorrow, October 7th, just a few days before the final race of the season. The announcement comes hot on the heels of Jacques Villeneuve being informed the team will not require his services for next year. Despite recent speculation, it seems that Villeneuve will race for BAR in Japan this coming weekend, although tomorrow's press conference will surely decide the matter.

BAR code.

Photo by Brousseau Photo.

Team test driver Takuma Sato is widely presumed to be Villenevue's replacement in 2004 but he is not expecting to be competing in his home race. "I'd be lying if I said I didn't wish to be racing -- I'm a racing driver and it is frustrating not to be able to do this," Sato said in regard to the Japanese Grand Prix.

Sato's manager, Andrew Gilbert-Scott, said he has not had any indication from BAR that the Japanese would be required to race instead of Villeneuve: "Personally, I'd be very surprised if Jacques doesn't race this weekend," he commented.

"Any other suggestion is completely news to me. I don't know whether these comments about Jacques not doing it are serious but it is nothing to do with the team, Honda or us. Taku is here as a reserve driver. If the team need him to race, he's ready to race but we'd like to know as soon as possible because it's Monday already."

Villeneuve has been with BAR since 1999 and it seems the former champion is now facing a future without a race seat. His manager, Craig Pollock, announced on Saturday that he would not be with BAR next year but there has been no indication of Villeneuve moving to another F1 team.