Formula 1: Villeneuve and Button in sweat

Former world champion Jacques Villeneuve and youngster Jenson Button may be frozen out of next month’s opening grand prix of the new Formula One season in Australia if safety fears over their cars prove to be well-founded.

British driver Button and Canada’s Jacques Villeneuve are believed to be two of the drivers most likely to be among eight Formula One hopefuls whose cars have failed stringent tests.