Villeneuve Welcomes Button's Support

Jacques Villeneuve welcomed a glowing endorsement from teammate Jenson Button after they started the Formula One season barely on speaking terms.

"From the halfway point of the season we've been working well together, in any case it's better that we know each other than not," said the Canadian. "It's certainly nice to hear (Button's comments)."

Villeneuve's place at BAR is in doubt for next year but British newspapers quoted Button as saying he was now happy to have the 1997 World Champion as a teammate after their bickering early months together.

"I want a competitive teammate and Jacques is good because he's very experienced and we work well together," said 23-year-old Button. "For me there's no reason to have anyone else in the car. He's doing a good job and he's also spent a lot of time with the team, so he works well with everyone.

"I think my reputation has been helped driving alongside Jacques," added the Briton. "Continuity is good for the team if they have two drivers who are experienced and have worked with the engineers together. He's a straight guy who says what he thinks. That's better than talking behind my back."

Villeneuve, a champion with Williams who has been with BAR since their Formula One debut in 1999, is one of the highest paid drivers in Formula One but in danger of finding he has no place to go next year unless he slashes his wages.

BAR have been linked with other drivers, notably Honda-backed Japanese test driver Takuma Sato, but Villeneuve remains the only champion in the sport other than Ferrari's Michael Schumacher.

Asked about media reports last week that BAR had decided to ditch him, Villeneuve said he did not believe that was the case and negotiations were continuing.