Button to Sauber?

It has been suggested that Sauber-Petronas has shown interest in Jenson Button's services for the 2001 season. The Swiss team follows Jaguar and Jordan in displaying a desire to sign up the 20-year-old after it was revealed recently in Autosport that Williams would not be retaining his services for 2001

Williams will take on Champ Car sensation Juan Pablo Montoya to partner Ralf Schumacher next season, amidst belief that the Colombian is one of the best drivers in the world at present. Frank Williams recently compounded that view by stating that he felt Montoya was ready for F1, and hinted he would be in a position to "nudge Michael Schumacher aside".

Sauber's driver situation is unclear at present, and both of the team's current drivers could end up elsewhere next season. 2002 debutantes Toyota are believed to want Mika Salo to develop their gestating F1 challenger throughout next year, which would involve the Finn leaving Sauber a year before his contract is up.

Pedro Diniz, on the other hand, has not made a good impression with the team this year, and is not likely to remain at the team after his current term expires at the end of the year.