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Toch maar ff Villeneuve uit het team gooien 
| quote: | Kubica replaces Villeneuve for Hungary
Tuesday, 01, August, 2006, 20:47
Polish driver Robert Kubica will take Jacques Villeneuve’s race seat at BMW Sauber in this weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix.
And BMW motorsport boss Mario Theissen has thrown the 1997 world champion’s future into doubt by declaring that the team has yet to decide who will partner Nick Heidfeld “either in the remaining races of the season or next year”.
The Hinwil-based squad said it had been told by Villeneuve that he would not be fit to race at the Hungaroring as he had not fully recovered from his accident at Hockenheim last weekend.
Villeneuve crashed out of the German GP shortly before half-distance when he lost control at the 100mph final turn of the stadium complex.
Although it was a heavy front-end impact, the Canadian appeared not to have sustained any injuries and reported that he was feeling fine when interviewed by ITV Sport’s pit lane reporter Louise Goodman.
However, Theissen explained in a statement on Tuesday that “Jacques has informed us that he is not ready to race after his Hockenheim accident.”
Kubica has impressed the team with his speed and assurance in his Friday testing role this season and is considered to be in the running for a 2007 race seat alongside Nick Heidfeld, who is already under contract for next year.
Theissen said the 21-year-old would now have the chance to prove himself.
“Robert has made an outstanding impression with the team so far, both in testing and on the Friday of the race weekends,” Theissen said.
“Now we will see how he performs in a Formula 1 race.
“However, we have not yet made a decision on who will drive the car either in the remaining races of the season or next year,” he said.
The three-week break between the Hungarian and Turkish GPs should, in theory, give Villeneuve enough time to recover from any ill effects of his Hockenheim crash.
But Theissen’s final comment will fuel speculation that Villeneuve’s seat may not be waiting for him on his return – especially if Kubica lives up to expectations.
When asked for clarification by ITV-F1.com, a BMW spokesman confirmed that the team did not yet know who would occupy the second race seat for the remaining grands prix.
Villeneuve has repeatedly expressed his frustration at BMW’s unwillingness to offer him a new contract despite his proven track record and the fact that he has generally matched team-mate Heidfeld this season.
Kubica will become the first Pole to start a Formula 1 grand prix when he lines up on the grid on Sunday.
“I had prepared myself for a whole year without actually competing in any races, so I’m even happier to get this opportunity,” he said.
“I’m proud that the BMW Sauber F1 Team has such confidence in me. I’m determined not to let them down." |
Bron: www.itv-f1.com
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| quote: | Originally texted by Jakhira
Out with the dog at the moment. Chicks love him, and I love chicks... The world is in harmony  |
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. 47, dat staat gelijk aan niks 
.
, gat blijft nu 11 pt 
