Richards Not Ruling Out Panis for 2003

British American Racing boss David Richards revealed on Monday that he had discussed with Jacques Villeneuve the decision to sign Jenson Button for the 2003 season, suggesting that the Canadian will be the Briton's teammate.

But the Scot also said that they are still talking and that Villeneuve's future with the team is still to be decided.

"I had been judging who would be the best person to join our team...Jacques and I discussed it some weeks ago," Richards said today in London. "Jenson was one of the people Jacques said he would get on with."

Richards said that Villeneuve - World Champion in 1997 with Williams - had one year remaining on his BAR contract and that the team were in talks with the Canadian driver about his future, but at the same time he refused to rule out the re-signing of current driver Olivier Panis

"We are in discussions with him (Villeneuve) about what he wants in the future and what the team needs in the future from him," Richards added. "Contracts are one thing but you need to have people who want to be there. I need long-term commitment. I need someone working for the team and its long-term success like Jenson will.

"It all depends on what Jacques' plans for the long-term are. There are ongoing discussions. I believe in being very open with people. I explained to Olivier some time ago that there were going to have to be some changes.

"We are not talking to any other drivers...with Olivier Panis there is a unique situation which, in the coming weeks, could see everybody happy."

Button said he was thrilled at the prospect of racing alongside Villeneuve.

"It has been a very busy weekend," he said. "And I am thrilled to join BAR. I am really looking forward to working with Jacques Villeneuve.

"I've had a whole range of opportunities open to me but after careful consideration of what would be best for my future, BAR provided me with an excellent opportunity to progress and ultimately, I hope, to achieve my ambition to be world champion."

The Briton signed a two-year contract with an option for a further two years, but Richards sees the appointment as a four-year deal.

"I like to see it as a four-year contract and I am convinced that within that time Jenson will be World Champion," he said.

BAR are currently seventh in the Constructors' Championship standings with five points. Button lies seventh in the Formula One Drivers' Championship and has scored 11 of Renault's 15 points this season.