Craig Pollock steps down from BAR

cos · 17 Dec 2001, 12:44 (Ref:186868)

Quote:

from f1-live.com:

In a shock announcement today, Craig Pollock revealed that he is stepping down as Managing Director and Team Principal of British American Racing. Craig has decided to pursue other interests. The Team intends to announce the identity of Craig's successor at the new car launch tomorrow, which will proceed as planned.

"I am extremely proud of what has been achieved at British American Racing,” he said. “I believe the foundations have been laid for great success. All the staff have been fantastic to work with and I wish the Team every success for the future. For my part I think the time is now right to explore new opportunities."

"We are all grateful to Craig for his contribution to the Team since its inception,” said Kenneth Clarke, B.A.R Chairman. “He has been pivotal in enabling B.A.R to become one of the most successful start-up teams in recent Formula One history."

EERO · 17 Dec 2001, 13:08 (Ref:186872)

Sounds to me that BAT are tired of a less than serious management and want to position BAR as the team Honad assimilates in the future. (i.e., "buys").

Bye bye Pollock, and so long JV, if next year's BAR is a dog, not even Minardi will want you.

Super Tourer · 17 Dec 2001, 13:26 (Ref:186878)

This pretty much ties in with something I read last week in Bernie's F1 mag, in the teams section they had a piece on budgets.

It seems that BAR are massively overdrawn, subsequently BAT have to guarantee their borrowings. In exchange for this BAT have been gradually taking share equity from the other shareholders.

Today's announcement looks to me like BAR want to portray themselves as a serious team rather than a play thing for JV and Pollock, I would guess that they are gambling that EJ won't sell Jordan to Honda therefore leaving BAR as Honda's obvious option - should they want to make a purchase.

This would result in BAT getting the lions share of the cash thereby regaining some of their 'investment' on top of the marketing value from their past sponsorship.

cos · 17 Dec 2001, 13:40 (Ref:186880)

Hmmm......didn't David Richards 'step back' from his rallying duties the other day? A possible replacement?

Wiki · 17 Dec 2001, 14:14 (Ref:186894)

Dave Richards is the rumoured take-over guy but at least he knows something about motorsport, BAT could have put in a Flav-type budget sticker....

**Stephen Green** · 17 Dec 2001, 14:57 (Ref:186903)

BBC Radio are reporting that Dave Richards will be the replacement but there's nothing on the newswires yet!

Gt_R · 17 Dec 2001, 15:14 (Ref:186906)

Quote: “He (CP) has been pivotal in enabling B.A.R to become one of the most successful start-up teams in recent Formula One history."

So successful, that they did not meet their own expectations.

First win, fighting for WCC/WDC, and end up with nothing...after a few years...

Sure, they din't do THAT badly, but i don't think there's much to boast either.

But seriously, what would this have on Jacques? Would he choose to leave, as he had said before that he'd leave with his friend? Or would he find himself booted out of the team, left in the cold by the top teams, and forced to settle in some lower/developing team (ie Jaguar?)

LucaBadoer · 17 Dec 2001, 15:39 (Ref:186911)

Quote:

Originally posted by Stephen Green
BBC Radio are reporting that Dave Richards will be the replacement but there's nothing on the newswires yet!

Please, Please, Please!!!

I love Dave Richards!!!! PLEASE let it be him!!!!

Please!!!!!!!!!!

**Stephen Green** · 17 Dec 2001, 15:59 (Ref:186917)

Actually GT-R I think a move to Jaguar would be beneficial for both Jaguar and JV. He's a hell of a lot better driver than Irvine in my opinion and it would breathe some new life into the team. I'm sure JV and Nikki Lauda would rub along quite well too, both are serious racers.

As for the press aying BAR are the most successful start up team, have they forgotten the achievements of one Eddy Jordan over the past six years? I would have put EJ's achievements way above those of BAR.

Old Hairpin · 17 Dec 2001, 16:32 (Ref:186922)

I remember JV saying that if Pollock left, he would leave too. Maybe JV will go to Ferrari! That would please the Tifosi, Gilles and all. Jacques is still talented, just a little downbeat after the toilet years of BAR. I think he still has what it takes.

Tristan · 17 Dec 2001, 16:42 (Ref:186926)

Oooh goodie!! This HAS brightened up my day!!

I DESPISE BAR and now it appears their future is bleak. Good. I mean, what can they DO?? We all KNOW this year's car is going to be mid grid. We all KNOW JV will now have to jump or be dragged down with the ship. Ohhh this is WONDERFUL!! Great fun!!

Old Hairpin · 17 Dec 2001, 17:08 (Ref:186941)

Pollock is doing an impression of Mika Hakkinen on the Autosport Web site picture!!!! "Errr, for sure, flatout..."

Nicholas · 17 Dec 2001, 18:37 (Ref:186993)

Quote:

Originally posted by Stephen Green
As for the press saying BAR are the most successful start up team, have they forgotten the achievements of one Eddy

It's not the press, it's Ken Clarke saying they were
one of the most successful in recent years.

And who's taken over the Rally rights?:confused:

cos · 17 Dec 2001, 18:53 (Ref:187004)

Autosport are speculating Pollock and JV to go to Renault...

Old Hairpin · 17 Dec 2001, 20:18 (Ref:187053)

[img]c:\windows\profiles\james\my documents\villeneuve.jpg[/img]

Jacques is still smiling despite everything.

Emfa · 17 Dec 2001, 20:59 (Ref:187061)

Quote:

Originally posted by Old Hairpin
[img]c:\windows\profiles\james\my documents\villeneuve.jpg[/img]

Hmmm... interesting URL...

Ralf's Girl · 17 Dec 2001, 21:41 (Ref:187071)

Hmm...so what does this mean for Villeneuve? From what I understand, Pollock has been instrumental in his decision to stay - so what now? Obviously he's tied down at the moment (but then this is F1...) but what about the end of his contract?

DNQ · 17 Dec 2001, 23:14 (Ref:187100)

I am quite surprised that no one has really explored Villeneuve's options outside F1...obviously it's a long shot, but there really is no reason why he isn't just going to pack up his bags and go back and race in IRL or CART, or even stock cars. I mean, why not? He'd get paid a reasonable amount, and racing at the top in a US based series would be far better than wasting his time battling with Prost's and Arrow's and Jaguar's. What do you think?

Schumacher · 17 Dec 2001, 23:23 (Ref:187103)

About time!

Now I wonder if Villeneuve will stand by his words - he has said openly that he will leave BAR if Pollock goes. Well guess what Jacques - Pollock's gone south.

If Villeneve doesent leave BAR, he will just end up sounding like a liar and a hypocrite - he's already that and a whole lot more anyway - so he has nothing to lose by looking the other way and carrying on with BAR.

Increasing signs though that Honda wants to buy the team out and run with their own name in 03.

In which case - Villeneuve is in deep trouble.He's burned bridges with just about everyone with the exception of Minardi, Prost or Arrows.

Gt_R · 18 Dec 2001, 02:17 (Ref:187146)

Regarding JV would do well at Jaguar... i think that while Niki would gel well with JV on a personal level, bringing on JV would also require signing a very good developement driver as his partner. We have all witnessed JV's poor attempt to build HIS team (doesn't he have shares in it?) and i don't think it would change overnight if he joins Jaguar...that he wouldn't be of extremely great help in building up the team.

But saying that, every team NEEDS a racer. Williams has JPM, Ferrari has Michael, Mclaren HAD Mika, So yes, in a way, Jaguar needs one too (so too does Toyota), and JV might fit the bill. How about a trip over to replace a McNish at Toyota in 2003?

JV's stint at BAR not only failed to bring forward the team, but had diluted his passion and edge in F1. He seems to lose focus and ability, which i,even as one of his harder critics, think would be regained if he had a change in environment. No harm now moving on. And keep his words (or i'd be oh-so-disappointed)...

But NO! As a tifosi, i DO NOT want JV in Ferrari. I don't really admire him (but i do have a soft spot for his papa), and would not be pleased with any move of him into the stable. Sure, he's talented in a way, downbeat most probably...but i'd rather see Alonso in.

djb · 18 Dec 2001, 02:44 (Ref:187150)

Very very interesting....haven't been reading any F1 news lately so this was a surprise. About the only thing for me to mention is that at this stage, isn't 2002 set in stone for him staying there.(yeah, I know, nothing is set in stone, but my feeling is that he would be wasting his time even thinking going to another team "in development". Problem is, if in fact the whole Pollock problem was not having the right mix of people/and/or poor management of the people there, it will not change overnight, and Vill. has already been there for 3 years of this. Given the complexity of the sport-the gelling of aero/engine/etc/etc it wasn't a surprise that BAR didn't set the world on fire as they said they would, and it isn't going to change quickly simply because of Pollock leaving.

Despite what others may think, I still believe that Vill. could be winning again IF he the car under him-yes I know that there is a good chance that any of the drivers could win given a top car/team, but I still see that his first year with Williams showed that he has the raw talent to get the job done. Nearly winning your first F1 race still counts for something with me.

Jay · 18 Dec 2001, 03:06 (Ref:187157)

This is a little surprising, but I don't think it will change things in a big way. Jacques may have said in the past that he would leave the team if it wasn't for Craig, but that was then, and this is now. My guess is that he doesn't care who's in charge, Craig will likely still be with the team in one form or another, and Jacques just wants to win as he always has.

**Stephen Green** · 18 Dec 2001, 12:13 (Ref:187247)

A friend of mine at BAT assures me JV will see out his current contract. In the meantime Dave Richards has now been named officially as the new head at BAR. That should prove interesting and maybe the kick start JV needs to get himself back on song!

Liz · 18 Dec 2001, 19:55 (Ref:187394)

The odds of Jacques driving for Ferrari are slightly higher than those of my driving for Ferrari. First he won't drive for the team that still deifies his father, and second he won't drive with TGF (either).

However, now that Pollock has FINALLY left town, this will be fish or cut bait for Jacques. With nobody to hide behind -- and with a teammate who sees straight through him and is a many-times-better development driver than he is -- it's time for Jacques to show what he can do.

If he dives for the exit, it'll be the tightness in the knot of the Pollock apron strings that pulls him along ...

Nicholas · 18 Dec 2001, 20:48 (Ref:187422)

And what will Pollock do now?

Manage JV.

Anyway, what do you guys think of the 004? The paint job's exactly the same as before and the nose looks weird:

(www.itv-f1.com)

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