BAR in driver discussions

Although a decision is not imminent, BAR boss David Richards said he is in discussions with drivers in regard to who will partner Jenson Button next year. Current teammate Jacques Villeneuve is still in the frame but McLaren test driver Alex Wurz is being considered for 2004, along with one or two others.

"Alex worked for me at Benetton, I have a great respect for him," said Richards. "I think he is very intelligent mature driver and would be a great compliment to the team. That said, I have made it very clear that we are not rushing into any decisions at this moment."

"It will happen over the next couple of months so let's wait and see how it will unfold. I think McLaren are hoping to announce their plans at Hungary. I am in discussions with four or five different drivers and I have a very open mind to it at the moment."

Despite the rumours, it seems McLaren will retain David Coulthard alongside Kimi Raikkonen as race drivers. Villeneuve said recently he was talking about the future with BAR but should he and the team part company, he intends to stay in F1. Where he might go is anyone's guess but the Canadian is keeping quiet for the moment.

"Some rumours make you smile and make you happy, so it's good to read them, and some of them they make you very unhappy," Villeneuve said at Hockenheim. "But there are a lot of rumours going on, but there's nothing to say right now."