The intense rivalry between BAR Honda team-mates Jacques Villeneuve and Jenson Button took its latest twist during preparations for the Malaysian Grand Prix. Round 2 of the battle started with Villeneuve blasting back at comments made by Button in the wake of their controversial botched pit-stop at the Australian GP.
"I was very, very disappointed to be blasted by my team-mate, when coming out of the car he was all smiles and handshakes. I found that a little bit weak - but that's what I have to cope with now, a weak team-mate. I have been working my butt off for this team for four or five years then somebody arrives and blasts me for what was not under my control," said Villeneuve.
Villeneuve blamed a radio problem that saw him come into the pits on Button's assigned lap, the Canadian claiming he could not hear his crew as his ear piece had fallen out. Button was forced to queue up behind Villeneuve for over 12 seconds, effectively ruining his chances of a points scoring finish.
"The radio was just making noise, it was incomprehensible," explained Villeneuve. After the incident and Button's comments Villeneuve concluded that his team-mates behaviour showed a "lack of intelligence" and that he "cannot respect Jenson after this."
The off track battle between the pair of BAR Honda drivers is set to move back onto the race track at this weekends Malaysian Grand Prix, the circuit where Button narrowly missed out on an impressive sixth place finish. Villeneuve vs Button round 2 looks like being a stormy affair.
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