Jaguar in bid for Button?

The European Grand Prix paddock was buzzing with speculation that Button, who is contracted to the Williams team, could be on his way to Jaguar at the end of next year.

The 21-year-old Brit is on loan to Benetton from Williams until the end of 2002 and Benetton team boss Flavio Briatore has denied the rumours, but Button is also thought to be wanted by Prost and Jordan, as well as Jaguar.

While his immediate future is the subject of fevered speculation, Jaguar is thought to want the youngster from 2003 onwards. Williams has an option on Button's services for 2003, but the team is in the enviable position of also having Juan-Pablo Montoya on its books.

With Ralf Schumacher having just re-signed with the Grove-based team until the end of 2004, the choice for the German's partner will be between Montoya and Button. Sir Frank may decide to retain Montoya's services, but hinted earlier this weekend that Button could be back with the team for 2003.

Should Montoya get the nod over Button, that could leave Jaguar and Jordan battling over Button's services. Jordan's title sponsor Benson and Hedges is known to want a Brit in one of Eddie Jordan's cars.

Despite all the talk surrounding his future, Button still failed to notch up a good result at the Nurburging and came home 13th, two places behind Benetton team mate Giancarlo Fisichella.