BMW to do shootout for Villeneuve’s seat

BMW’s Mario Theissen is prepared to put Jacques Villeneuve to the test to decide who will partner Nick Heidfeld at the new BMW-Sauber team in 2006.

"We need drivers who can push us forward, who can develop a car. I do not wish to talk about names, but it has to be our target that we can start working at the end of November with the two drivers who shall be in the cars in 2006," Theissen revealed to Autosport-Atlas.

"If we cannot achieve that, we might even do a driver comparison program in November. The Villeneuve situation is something we currently look into very thoroughly," continued Theissen. "Villeneuve needed some time to fit into the team and to come to grips with the tires. In the second half of the season however he is much closer to Felipe Massa. We want to see how he does in the last couple of races."