Button Still 'Exploring Options' for 2003

Briton Jenson Button said on Friday that he has been in talks with teams but refused to admit holding discussions with Jaguar over a drive for the Milton Keynes-based team in 2003.

Button is in the second of a two-year loan deal at Renault, while Williams own his contract and have yet to decide whether to recall the 22-year-old in place of either Juan Pablo Montoya or Ralf Schumacher.

Button admitted that he is holding talks with other teams on the grid as speculation continues to surround his future, but refused to name the outfits he has interested.

"We've been talking to teams about next year, nothing too serious but we have been talking to other teams," Button said. "There are lots of different options but I probably know what is going to happen with teams that most people do - well the ones I'm talking to anyway.

"There is no decisions on what is happening next year but I think this (Renault) is a good team to be with but we'll have to explore the options. Anyone will do that."

Button responded to Eddie Irvine's suggestions that he is being "pushed out" of Renault with a jibe and insisted that the Ulsterman is facing life on the scrapheap when his contract ends with Jaguar next year.

"Eddie Irvine said that? He knows everything about this team (Renault)," said Button. "Where is he going to be next year?"

Button admitted that his future is being stalled because Frank Williams holds the cards but he claimed that to his knowledge Flavio Briatore is keen for him to stay at Renault.

"It is not just a decision of one person - it is both sides as well so we'll see what happens in the next few races," he said. "Myself and the team need to make a decision.

"We've talked about lots of things (with Flavio) and from what I know they are happy for me to be here which is good. Hopefully it will be decided soon, because it would be nice to just concentrate on this year and not have to think about the next two years.

"I've been with this team for a year-and-a-half and things have been going well so it is the obvious choice."