Pollock en JV naar Renault, autosport.com
 

Sources have suggested that Craig Pollock’s long term future could lie with the re-badged Renault team, although it’s not yet clear whether he would replace or work alongside current team boss Flavio Briatore.

Pollock is known to be popular with the French manufacturer - he first came into contact with them as Jacques Villeneuve’s manager when the French-Canadian drove for Williams in 1996. Three years later the new BAR team used Renault-built Supertec engines in its debut season. The Supertec arrangement was overseen by Briatore, so the two men have worked together previously.

If Pollock does end up at Renault, it is highly likely that Villeneuve will follow him there. The Canadian will clearly be uncomfortable at BAR in the aftermath of Pollock’s shock departure, and he is free to leave the team at the end of 2002.

It’s unlikely that he will ever find a berth at Williams, Ferrari or McLaren, and Renault is the obvious alternative. Jacques talked to Briatore last year about a Benetton seat for 2001, but decided to stay put.

Although its widely assumed that Fernando Alonso is being lined up to replace Jenson Button in 2003, the attraction of having its most recent World Champion on board could prove irresistible to Renault.