UK: MOTOR RACING - CRAIG POLLOCK STEPS DOWN AS TEAM PRINCIPAL OF BRITISH AMERICAN REACING (BAR)

Record ID: 644544

  • Title: UK: MOTOR RACING - CRAIG POLLOCK STEPS DOWN AS TEAM PRINCIPAL OF BRITISH AMERICAN REACING (BAR)
  • Date: 19th December 2001
  • Summary: LONDON, UK (RECENT FILE) 1. VARIOUS OF CRAIG POLLOCK Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 3rd January 2002 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM
  • City:
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Reuters ID: LVA7HMTXLGJZKFU0IERK8C2SSZ9X
  • Story Text: Craig Pollock has stepped down as team principal of
    British American Racing (BAR) on the eve of the launch of the
    team's car for the 2002 Formula One season.

    A replacement for the 45-year-old Scotsman will be
    named at the launch at the team's Brackley factory in central
    England on Tuesday, the team said in a statement on Monday.

    BBC radio reported that world rally chief David Richards
    would be Pollock's replacement. "I am extremely proud of what
    has been achieved at British American Racing. I believe the
    foundations have been laid for great success," Pollock said.

    "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," he added.

    Pollock played a key role in persuading BAR to buy Tyrrell
    and back a Formula One team and has been in charge since its
    inception in 1997. The team began racing in 1999 with drivers
    Brazilian Ricardo Zonta and 1997 world champion Jacques
    Villeneuve, whom Pollock had taught at school in Switzerland
    and later managed.

    Despite the great fanfare of the launch, their first
    season was hugely disappointing. They finished behind Minardi
    in 11th place in the manufacturers' standings with no points.

    An engine deal with Honda was secured for the 2000 season
    and there was a great improvement as they gathered 20 points
    to finish fifth. But last season the team slipped back to
    sixth with 17 points, 12 of them won by Villeneuve, who twice
    got on the podium with third place finishes in Spain and
    Germany.

    Pollock's close relationship with the Canadian has always
    been cited as the main reason why he has stayed so long at
    such a uncompetitive team. BAR chairman Kenneth Clarke, the
    former British cabinet minister, said the team was grateful
    for Pollock's efforts.

    "We are all grateful to Craig for his contribution to the
    Team since its inception," he said. "He has been pivotal in
    enabling BAR to become one of the most successful start-up
    teams in recent Formula One history."
    Richards, 49, has had a long and successful career in the
    world rally championship, but has been involved in Formula One
    once before. Richards was chief executive of the Benetton
    Formula One team from 1997 until a falling-out with the
    Benetton family caused him to quit a year later.

    Since then he has concentrated on marketing the World
    Rally Championship, for which he brought the rights from F1
    boss Bernie Ecclestone.


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