Formula One: Berger fires Button warning

Jenson Button can forget about a return to Williams until he gains the upper hand over Benetton team-mate Giancarlo Fisichella, BMW boss Gerhard Berger has warned.

After a sensational debut year with Williams, Button has been loaned to Benetton for two seasons to make way for Juan Pablo Montoya.

So far he has failed to impress, outqualifying Fisichella on just one occasion and failing to match the Italian’s performances in races.

Berger says that the 21-year-old’s performances will have to improve before he can even think about a return to Williams.

He said: "If Jenson can't go quicker than Fisichella then maybe we should think about signing Fisichella.

"There's no point discussing the Montoya-Button situation yet because that decision doesn't have to be made for another year. But Jenson has to beat Fisichella first. You are always judged against your team-mate."

Now that Ralf Schumacher has agreed to stay at Williams until 2004, Button and Montoya are fighting over just one drive.