Grand Prix team chief David Richards ruled out a swap deal involving Jenson Button and Jacques Villeneuve before the start of the new Formula 1 season.

Richards insisted no discussions over a driver switch had taken place and was "totally confident" Villeneuve would be in the Brackley-built British American Racing car for the season opener in Melbourne, Australia, on March 3.

Villeneuve's future with the team was thrown into doubt after his friend and mentor Craig Pollock was replaced as team principal by Richards just hours before the car's launch last month.

The Canadian has been linked with a switch to Renault, who powered him to the world title with the Williams team in 1997, with Button, in the second year of a two-year loan deal with the Enstone-based team, formerly Benetton, moving the other way.

But Richards said: "I have a team of drivers I am very happy with. I do not foresee any changes contractually, nor have there been any discussions regarding changes.

"I am totally confident Jacques and Oliver Panis will be our drivers at the first race of the season."

Whether Villeneuve, who was clearly stunned and upset by the departure of Pollock when he spoke about it at the launch, will be at BAR come the end of the campaign remains to be seen.

But Richards knows the best way of keeping Villeneuve is to finally provide him with a competitive car, after three seasons of lacklustre results.

Richards said: "It's no use me concerning myself with what's going on behind the scenes. I have a job to do to lead the team and produce the best car within our ability. That is the most significant thing I can do to influence Jacques."

Villeneuve is said not to have spoken to anyone at BAR since the launch until he spent a day testing the 2002 challenger in Barcelona last Wednesday.

Richards, who will speak with his driver at the test session in Valencia this week, said: "Jacques tested the car on Wednesday and was very encouraged and went away from the test in a positive frame of mind and that as far as he was concerned we had made major steps forward.

"The car was basically sound with clearly a lot of work to do as anyone has to on a new car.

"We are still working with a development engine. Honda are working hard, though it will be another month before we get a proper engine.

"I will be talking to Jacques, but you pick your moments, you don't just rush in but wait until the dust settles."