By pitpass.com (06/05/2003)
May 13 2003

Earlier this year the public spat between BAR drivers Jacques Villeneuve and Jenson Button was an embarrassment not simply to the team but for the sport, as both drivers used the media to full effect in their pathetic war of words. Jacques stated that he had little respect for the young Englishman's previous record and that if respect was to be given then Button would have to earn it and prove what he was made of, on track.

Thankfully once the season got underway the situation began to settle and as Button began to show his pace the French Canadian appeared to mellow.

Although Villeneuve was clearly unhappy in Spain following his third retirement of the season, it appeared that his relationship with his team-mate was actually improving.

On Saturday the pair were spotted walking through the paddock, laughing and clearly totally at ease. Jenson seems to be telling a story and Jacques is clearly delighted to hear it. David Richards and the rest of the team must have slept easy that night knowing that their young chargers were getting on so famously.

However all is not as it appears. It would seem that Jenson was not simply trying to amuse his new found chum, clearly the English youngster was attempting to goad Jacques into some sort of action, possibly a fight.

For moments after the first picture was taken, pitpass.com lensman John Marsh of Redzone Images caught JB giving JV the 'English salute' as used on the fields of Agincourt so many years ago by the English archers.

Rest assured this picture - shocking as it is - has not been doctored in any way, and is 100% genuine, perhaps Jenson will explain his outrageous behaviour.

;-)

This article was written by pitpass.com and is used with permission.