Button Stalls Then Shines in Germany

Briton Jenson Button boosted his chance of a drive with a top team next season with a brilliant performance from last on the grid to fourth place in Sunday's German Grand Prix.

A poor 16th in qualifying, the 20-year-old Williams driver started last after stalling at the start of the formation lap.

He then fought back for the best result of his 11-race Formula One career.

The driver who took the sport by storm when he joined Williams unexpectedly at the start of the year after testing as a teenager, is expected to be replaced by Colombian Juan-Pablo Montoya next year.

He said on Friday that he had received offers to join three-quarters of the teams in the field before demonstrating on Sunday that he was definitely worth having.

"It didn't started too well, my engine not firing up," he said. "It was very frustrating to have to start at the back but it worked out well. It was the most scary and most enjoyable race of my career so far."

Button, whose battle with Mika Salo's Sauber was one of the highlights of an eventful race on a treacherous, wet track, thought he was fifth under the chequered flag.

"When they told me I was fourth, I said well, that's even better," he said. "It was amazingly wet but really good fun."

BMW, who returned to Formula One this year, are fast improving but the British driver and the German car manufacturer should go separate ways in 2001.

Montoya, a contracted Williams driver, has been on loan racing in the United States for the last two years and has won the Champ Car drivers title and the Indianapolis 500 race.

Button has a multi-year contract with Williams but could be released from it on loan to another team if both he and Williams team chief Frank Williams were satisfied with the choice.

"I am 100 percent sure it will be a top team," Button said of his future employer, refusing to comment on reports saying Benetton came first on his list.

"I have not signed anything for anyone," he said before Sunday's race. "I could still be a Williams driver next season."