Jacques Villeneuve has refused a spectacular multiple-year contract. The Canadian driver doesn't agree with sponsor Britisch American Tobacco's proposal to return to the CART series for one single year. The one season would earn him more than nineteen million dollars, followed by a 2 year contract for British American Racing.

The total package would respresent a value of more than 50 million dollar. Nevertheless it was refused by Villeneuve and his manager Craig Pollock. According to Gerald Forsythe of Team Player's, the team was really excited about being able to work with the talent of a driver such as Villeneuve. "It would have been very stimulating for Player's and the CART series. Unfortunately, Pollock demanded even more money for the deal."