Former BAR boss David Richards has launched an outspoken attack against Jacques Villeneuve, dismissing the French/Canadian as "past his sell-by date" and suggesting that he may be a disruptive influence at BMW.
There's no love lost between the pair after their turbulent relationship at BAR culminated in Richards deciding not to offer JV a new deal. Or at least a contract offering a salary in excess of £1.
Villeneuve has not been shy about voicing his contempt for Richards, admitting that he was happy to see him ousted as BAR's Team Principal.
Although JV accused Richards of orchestrating a whispering campaign against him in the paddock, Richards has remained, in public at least, silent on his former driver. Until now.
"Bluntly, he's past his sell-by, and has been for some time," he told F1-Racing magazine.
"I know that Mario [Theissen, BMW-Sauber's new boss] is retaining Jacques' services, but if I'd been him I wouldn't have even entertained the idea. In a difficult year - and 2006 will definitely be difficult for BMW - the last thing they need is someone like Jacques."
What's more, Richards was insistent that it was a mistake for Sauber to bring back JV into F1 last season.
"I was surprised to see that Peter employed Jacques. It was an odd decision, and it certainly didn't seem to work out. I sensed there were periods in the middle of the season, and even early on, when Peter's famously calm Swiss exterior showed the extent of his frustration with the Jacques situation."
Damning words; but then again, it should be remembered that Richards is the team boss who gave Crashaholic Takuma Sato a full-time seat in F1 and then offered to give his errant driver a driving lesson based on his golf swing.