Button speculation on the increase

WilliamsF1 is thought to have until the end of the month to decide whether or not to bring Juan Pablo Montoya, currently on loan to CART team Ganassi, back to the F1 team in Button's place.

The Colombian was described as 'the best driver in the world' by team chief Chip Ganassi, and Williams is unlikely to want to miss out on securing the driver's services.

Montoya won the Indianapolis 500 at his first attempt in May, and yesterday scored Toyota's first Champ Car race by dominating Monday's Milwaukee CART event. In addition, Indianapolis boss Tony George insisted that Montoya would head to F1 as soon as he could.

"I think he'd very much like to be in F1 and wants to make that transition as soon as possible," George said, as he visited last weekend's Monaco Grand Prix.

Button, it is suggested could have options at Jordan should Williams opt for Montoya to partner Ralf Schumacher in 2001.

But Williams was noncommittal on the issue, suggesting that CART team boss Chip Ganassi would have the last word as to Montoya's immediate future. "We have an option on Juan Pablo," said Sir Frank. "Maybe we'll have a decision at the end of June. But the person who controls his future is Chip Ganassi."

"We're getting a good measure of Jenson's abilities against a very strong team mate," said Frank Williams.

Jenson Button is understood to have a long term deal with WilliamsF1, and if he were to leave Williams, would have to be loaned out in order to drive for another team.

He has been linked with Jaguar, BAR and Jordan.