Craig Pollock: Difference between revisions

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Craig Pollock (born February 20, 1956 in Falkirk, Scotland), is a businessman who was the manager of the Formula One driver Jacques Villeneuve.

Pollock worked as a teacher in the late 1970s eventually becoming director of sport at the College Beausoleil in Villars, Switzerland. Here he met a young Jacques Villeneuve who had been sent to the school following the death of his Formula One driver father Gilles. Their shared passion for skiing allowed them to become friends before Pollock moved on to set up his own business.

After leaving school Villeneuve pursued a career as a racing driver, following in his father's footsteps, and eventually moved to Japan. The two men were brought back together by a chance meeting at the Suzuka circuit, and Pollock agreed to become Villeneuve's manager.

In 1993 Villeneuve raced in American Formula Atlantic before breaking into IndyCars in 1994. After winning a race in his rookie season Villeneuve took the CART championship and prestigious Indy 500 win in 1995. The following year Villeneuve relocated to Europe, joining Williams Grand Prix and bringing Pollock into Formula One.

Riding on the back of Villeneuve's 1997 Formula One title, Pollock persuaded British American Tobacco to bankroll his ambition of becoming a team manager. In 1998 Pollock purchased Tyrrell, renaming it British American Racing (BAR), and signed his close friend and driver to be team leader. Immediately a controversial figure, Pollock made numerous claims about how successful his team would be. His high hopes proved to be unfounded however with a disastrous debut in 1999.

Results continued to be poor and by 2001 British American Tobacco had lost patience. Pollock was replaced as team principal by David Richards, although he remained a shareholder until the partial Honda buyout in 2004.

In 2003, Pollock formed CART team PK Racing, with businessman Kevin Kalkhoven. He remained as co-owner of the team until 2004.

Craig Pollock managed Jacques Villeneuve through the end of his Formula One career, and he made an application to motorsport governing body the FIA to enter a Formula One team for 2008. The proposed team was one of many rejected in favour of David Richard's Prodrive entry. ^[1]

Pollock and Villeneuve ended their business relationship in January, 2008. ^[2]

References

[1] "Prodrive to join F1 grid in 2008"

[2] "Jacques Villeneuve parts ways with longtime manager Craig Pollock"

[1]

[2]

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 Riding on the back of Villeneuve's [[1997 Formula One season|1997]] Formula One title, Pollock persuaded [[British American Tobacco]] to bankroll his ambition of becoming a team manager.  In 1998 Pollock purchased [[Tyrrell Racing|Tyrrell]], renaming it [[British American Racing]] (BAR), and signed his close friend and driver to be team leader.  Immediately a controversial figure, Pollock made numerous claims about how successful his team would be.  His high hopes proved to be unfounded however with a disastrous debut in 1999.
-Results continued to be poor and by 2001 [[British American Tobacco]] had lost patience.  Pollock was replaced as team principal by [[David Richards (racing)|David Richards]]. Richards saw a dramatic upturn in fortunes for the team both on and off the track. Richards set about undoing much of Pollock's leagacy including renaming the team B.A.R, cutting costs, attracting fresh sponsors and letting go of Villeneuve following the end of his contract. Pollock remained a [[shareholder]] until the partial [[Honda]] buyout in 2004.
+Results continued to be poor and by 2001 [[British American Tobacco]] had lost patience.  Pollock was replaced as team principal by [[David Richards (racing)|David Richards]], although he remained a [[shareholder]] until the partial [[Honda]] buyout in 2004.
-Despite his ambitious claims following the creation of British American Racing, his lack of success during his spell in charge and the subsequent up turn in fortunes follwing his departure means his career in Formula 1 has been deemed a terible failure. Some have even suggested it was his influence the saw a decline in fortunes for his friend and client Jacques Villeneuve.
 In 2003, Pollock formed [[CART]] team [[PKV Racing|PK Racing]], with businessman [[Kevin Kalkhoven]]. He remained as co-owner of the team until 2004.