Motor racing: Former world champion Jacques Villeneuve's Formula One career appears over after he parted company with BMW-Sauber.
The Canadian sat out yesterday's Hungarian Grand Prix due to the after effects of a heavy crash in Germany.
BMW-Sauber used the opportunity to give Polish rookie Robert Kubica his debut and suggested he could stay on in the role even when Villeneuve was fit.
That prompted today's announcement of a split, with the team blaming uncertainty over Villeneuve's future for the decision.
Boss Mario Theissen said: "After Jacques' accident in the Hockenheim race the team decided to review its options for next year, including assessing Robert Kubica in a race environment.
"Our decision to look towards evaluating our driver line-up has naturally impacted Jacques' position for the remainder of this season.
"We fully understand that it is difficult for Jacques to maintain his natural level of commitment in circumstances of uncertainty. We respect his position and wish him well for the future."
Villeneuve, the 1997 world champion, has no realistic hope of a drive in Formula One for next season and has already said a move to NASCAR racing would appeal.
Despite seemingly easing aside the 35-year-old, Theissen was keen to praise Villeneuve's contribution to the team in their first year under BMW ownership.
"Jacques has performed well for us this year, scoring the team's first grand prix points in Malaysia," he added.
"He has made a significant contribution to developing the newly-formed team and the performance of the car."
If, as seems likely, Formula One has seen the last of Villeneuve, it marks the end of a turbulent career.
He scored 11 wins and won the title with Williams but left to join the new BAR team, who yesterday won their first grand prix thanks to Jenson Button.
That move proved disastrous and he struggled to score points, let alone win again before being forced out at the end of 2003. He returned briefly with Renault in 2004 before joining Sauber.