Williams may lose Button

Button may make way for Colombia's Pablo Montoya

Williams driver Jenson Button may be loaned out to Jaguar Racing in order to make way for Champ Car champion Juan Pablo Montoya.

The Colombian Montoya has impressed team boss Frank Williams, who believes that the 24-year-old is just as talented as Button.

From the little we know, Juan Pablo is also an extremely talented driver

Frank Williams

"Jenson has delighted us all," said Williams.

"From the little we know, Juan Pablo is also an extremely talented driver.

"The only true comparison we could make is if we had them both at a test, but that is not possible."

Rolling contract

Williams has asked if Montoya's boss, Chip Ganassi, if he could release the driver from his three-year contract a year early.

"We have options on Juan Pablo, but the person who controls his future for the next two years is Chip," said Williams.

"He has him until the end of 2001. Chip knows of our interest and maybe by the end of June we will have had a definite decision."

Montoya is a rising star

Button is on a long-term rolling contract with the Williams team, but would have to make way for the newcomer.

Jaguar would be the likely port of call for the 20-year-old, but rumours suggest that Jordan's Heinz-Harald Frentzen may switch to the new Formula One team instead.

The move could go ahead in 2001 and would see Frentzen reunited with old F3000 team-mate Eddie Irvine.

Jordan would have space to fill and Button would be a good candidate.