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BAR have called a press conference for Monday, at which they are expected to unveil Jenson Button.

The team will make a 2003 driver announcement at 5.00pm. It is expected that they will reveal the signing of Button, whose exit from Renault was confirmed on Saturday.

Button has promised that his future plans would be announced before next weekend’s German Grand Prix. He has been linked with Toyota, Sauber and Jaguar but BAR have emerged as favourites to secure his services.

Button was giving nothing away in Magny-Cours this weekend.

Speaking immediately after the race, he said: "I’ve got my future sorted but I’m not going to tell you any more."

Earlier in the day, BAR boss David Richards had showered the 22-year-old with praise.

He said: "Jenson is a unique talent. He is the best British driver - for the future at least. I'm taken aback that Renault would let him go like that."

A move to BAR would reunite Button with his former Williams colleague Geoff Willis, who is now technical director at the Brackley-based team.

If Button comes on board, it is likely to spell the end of Olivier Panis’ stay with the outfit. Richards had hoped to get the big-earning Jacques Villeneuve off the payroll but the 1997 world champion has a binding contract for another year.

Panis has been linked with a move to Toyota as a replacement for Allan McNish.

bron: f1racing.net

BAR maakt momenteel z'n rijdersduo voor 2003 bekend; bijna zo goed als zeker dat Button daar rijdt volgend seizoen.

Bye bye Olivier Panis ?