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Jacques Villeneuve's driving career with BMW is over.
The Canadian's absence from the Hungarian Grand Prix was seen by many as the first crack in what has appeared to be an improved relationship this season, but Jacques Villeneuve will not be back in the F1.06 after both parties confirmed a termination of their relationship.
The company line going to the Hungaroring was that Villeneuve had not recovered sufficiently from his German GP accident to consider racing for a second successive weekend, allowing the impressive Robert Kubica to make his race debut, but the paddock rumour mill openly suggested that the 1997 world champion may have taken part in his last grand prix, particularly as speculation over a possible NASCAR had raised its head between rounds.
Kubica's performance - ninth on the grid and seventh in the race before disqualification - only added fuel to the fire that he would remain alongside Nick Heidfeld for the remaining five races of the year, prior to having his option taken up for a full-time ride in 2007, and a short statement from BMW the morning after Hungary confirmed what many felt was inevitable, despite recent comments from JV insisting that he was happy and enjoying in his racing once again.
"Jacques Villeneuve will not be racing with BMW Sauber F1 for the remainder of the 2006 F1 season," the team's missive read, "Following discussions last week, Jacques Villeneuve and the BMW Sauber F1 Team agreed to terminate their current contract with immediate effect five races ahead of schedule."
The team's motorsport director, Mario Theissen, conceded - on paper at least - that Villeneuve had performed above expectation this season, having been made to wait to have his seat confirmed at the Hinwil squad after BMW's acquisition of Sauber over the winter.
"Jacques has performed well for us this year, scoring the team's first grand prix points in Malaysia," Theissen said, "He has made a significant contribution to developing the newly formed BMW Sauber F1 Team and the performance of the car.
"However, after Jacques' accident in the Hockenheim race, the team decided to review its options for next year, including assessing Robert Kubica in a race environment. Our decision to look towards evaluating our driver line-up has naturally impacted Jacques' position for the remainder of this season. We fully understand that it is difficult for Jacques to maintain his natural level of commitment in circumstances of uncertainty. We respect his position and wish him well for the future."
Unless he should be offered lifeline in F1 - and it is unlikely to happen with Red Bull Racing apparently poised to hand Mark Webber its remaining vacancy - Villeneuve appears to be NASCAR-bound, although he steadfastly refuses to comment on the speculation. Newspaper reports in Montreal over the weekend suggest that he has signed an agreement to race in the stock car series next season, so it could be a case of 'watch this space'.
