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With Fernando Alonso now confirmed at Renault alongside Jarno Trulli in 2003, British American Racing has emerged as the main favourite to secure the services of Jenson Button next season.

Today's Mail on Sunday suggests that Button has already signed a two-year deal with Toyota, but AUTOSPORT understands that a BAR seat alongside Jacques Villeneuve is more likely.

Earlier this weekend, BAR team principal David Richards could not confirm that Olivier Panis would remain with the team next year and, reading between the lines, the outlook for the Frenchman there did not appear that positive.

Button and his management have obviously been investigating all options since knowing that he was out of the picture at Renault, with Jaguar, BAR, Sauber, Jordan and Toyota all touted as options. Despite Button's visit to Sauber's Hinwil base last week, Peter Sauber has played down any interest from the Swiss team, which has options on both current drivers, Nick Heidfeld and Felipe Massa.

Button's manager, John Byfield, says that Button has signed a contract and that an announcement will be made next week. Byfield is known to have lunched with Richards recently but, when quizzed about Jenson, Richards will say only that he has known him for some time as a karting pal of his son's.

Talk about planning for the long term at BAR would fit with Button, however, although Jenson's best long term prospect, logically, is to seek a return to Williams-BMW.

An announcement concerning Button's future is expected as early as tomorrow (Monday).

Bron: www.autosport.com