[Bart.Vandecavey]

Zoals ik al elders zij: I love Silly Season!

bron: f1-live.com

What is Jaguar up to?
Button in talks with Lauda?

New reports indicate that Renault driver Jenson Button made a brief detour before arriving at the Nurburgring for this weekend's European Grand Prix, the young Brit paying a visit to Jaguar Headquarters along the way. Reports in the British press claim that Jenson flew to the team's Milton-Keynes base on Tuesday for secret talks with Niki Lauda.

Jenson is currently under contract with Williams however he is on loan to Renault until the end of the 2002 season. From there he was meant to return to the team that gave him his break in Formula One back in the 2000 season. However Juan Pablo Montoya is rumoured to have a new contract lined up that will see him with the BMW powered squad until 2004 while Jenson has stated he would like to remain with Renault.

As the season progresses, it looks more and more like Eddie Irvine won't be driving for Jaguar next season, the Irishman stressing on several occasions that he wants to be in a competitive drive if he continues in Formula One. Jaguar have already tested Fernando Alonso and plan to test Minardi driver Mark Webber next week, both men contracted to Renault boss, Flavio Briatore.

The team explained that they were testing Webber to evaluate the young Australian in case they should find themselves with an empty seat next season, and that is a similar story to the one given in the Sun.

"Jenson is very happy at Renault but he still has to look at all the other opportunities that may be open to him,” a source close to Button was quoted as saying. “Jaguar were the ones who phoned Jenson and he felt it was only right to listen to what they had to say. The team outlined their plans and made it clear that they would like to have further talks should an opening arise."

Another rumour to add to the long list of possible driver moves we have already read about this season, or another indication that Jaguar are definitely hunting a new driver? More should come to light after Irvine tests the new package next week, the new improved version of the R3 ahead of the British Grand Prix.