Villeneuve ready for competitive 2003

Jacques Villeneuve is confident that BAR will be competitive in 2003 and that engine partner Honda will improve with a change of direction. Honda will supply on BAR next year after splitting with Jordan, the other team it supplied in 2002. BAR managed only eighth in the Constructors' standings this year, and Villeneuve only four points, but the Canadian is putting his trust in the new car.

"Our team will be more competitive next year, I have high confidence in that," Villeneuve told the Montreal Gazette. "The car will be more competitive. Honda is working very hard. They've found a new direction to work in, one they changed to during the (2002) season and that will be good for next season as well. So I'm very confident."

The Canadian was also optimistic about new design parts from this year's addition of technical man Geoff Willis: "We have some interesting new parts for next year and have generated some innovative designs." Villeneuve said.

BAR boss David Richards was recently rumoured to be on rocky ground, with British American Tobacco allegedly not happy with the lack of improvement in performance. Senior Executive Nick Brookes dismissed the rumours, saying BAT was quite happy with Richards at the helm of the team.

BAR start winter testing on 26th of this month with Anthony Davidson in Barcelona. The team was one of the first to launch last time around, as early as December, but as yet there's no word for the 2003 contender.

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