Button must earn my respect, says Villeneuve.

1997 F1 World Champion, Jacques Villeneuve has warned his new team-mate Jenson Button that he will have to earn his respect in 2003.

JV told British tabloid newspaper The People: "He has got to be competitive next year if he wants to earn my respect. If he is not, I will find it hard to respect him.

"He started 2002 looking like he was on the pace but then slipped a bit, hopefully it was just because of the environment at Renault and the positive feeling now at BAR will help him.

"He's a good guy though and we get along well. Whether he'll be as good as Olivier Panis, we'll have to wait and see.

"I hope the team, working with British people, will make him happy and let him drive at his best."

Meanwhile though JV's manager, Craig Pollock has admitted that the Canadian is unlikely to stay with British American Racing in 2004.

"This might be Jacques' last year at BAR," commented Pollock. "After that, our first choice for 2004 is Ferrari - with Michael Schumacher.

"It would be an excellent challenge for everyone and the only way of arousing interest. When you have one dominant team you need the two drivers to fight one another."