Villeneuve Welcomes Button's Arrival at BAR

Canadian Jacques Villeneuve has suggested he is ready to stay at the British American Racing team next year by praising the arrival of Jenson Button to the Brackley-based squad.

"I guess Button will bring youth to the team, but not experience as he hasn't got much," Villeneuve told Radio Five Live. "Last year was a season lost for him but this year he has overshadowed Jarno Trulli and has been doing a good job.

"But we get along. That is very important because it is never enjoyable to be around somebody you don't like."

Villeneuve has one year of his deal with the Brackley-based team to run and is likely to partner new signing Button in next year's line-up but the Canadian said that they are still talking.

Team principal David Richards had suggested that Villeneuve's current teammate Olivier Panis could remain with the team and claimed he was working on a solution that would be beneficial to all parties.

"I have a contract with BAR for next year and the only way it can be amended is if I can discuss it," Villeneuve added. "If somebody else arrives with a platter of gold with something beautiful written on it, then I don't see why I shouldn't discuss it."

Villeneuve has been in dispute with Richards, who is keen to agree a reduced deal with the Canadian currently earning an estimated £6 million a year. Richards has yet to reveal Button's partner for next year but according to Villeneuve's manager and the former team principal Craig Pollock his driver will not be taking a sabbatical.

"Jacques has every intention of racing with BAR next year," Pollock told F1 Digital during the German Grand Prix weekend. "Jacques is sitting here with a very solid contract signed with BAR. It's the last year of a three-year contract and he has every intention of racing with BAR next year. There's no question of Jacques taking a sabbatical.

"It's never even come into his mind to take a sabbatical and I don't see any reason to do it. I think he's in F1 for the next few years to come and I think he'll finish his career in F1."

Richards claimed last weekend that Frenchman Panis and Villeneuve could both be with the team next year, but the Canadian insisted that the only way his current teammate could stay is if a proposed three-car rule is brought in.

"I am on as much of a cloud as you," Villeneuve added. "Right now the Championship is for two cars per team. Maybe next year it will be decided that it is three cars per team, which would make it easier for everyone."