Grapevine: Button Holding Talks with Jaguar

Briton Jenson Button has held talks with Jaguar Racing over a possible move to the team for 2003 despite being happy at Renault, according to The Sun newspaper.

The 22-year-old is in the final year of his two-year loan spell with Renault and he is awaiting news from Williams, who own his contract, as to whether he will be recalled next year.

Button has expressed his happiness at Renault this year following the transition from Benetton-Renault last season but held talks with Jaguar boss Niki Lauda on Tuesday as he looks to explore potential opportunities for next season.

"Jenson is very happy at Renault but he still has to look at all the other opportunities that may open to him," a source close to Button told The Sun.

"Jaguar were the ones who phoned Jenson and he felt it was only right to listen to what they had to say. The team outlined their plans and made it clear that they would like to have further talks should an opening arise."

Jaguar are evaluating their options for 2003 with Ulsterman Eddie Irvine yet to sign a new deal. Minardi's Mark Webber will test for the team next week, while Renault test driver Fernando Alonso has already had a one-day outing.

Spaniard Pedro de la Rosa has a contract for next year, but the Milton Keynes-based outfit are keeping their options open if Irvine does decide his future lies elsewhere.

Williams have both Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya and German Ralf Schumacher under contract for 2003, leaving Button's hopes of returning to the Grove-based team where he started in F1 slim.