Heidfeld: I can hold off Button challenge

Jenson Button was today warned he faces a fight for a place in the BMW-Williams Formula One team next year.

Button is expected to seek a return to Williams, with whom he made his Grand Prix debut in 2000, following the cheating scandal that led to his BAR-Honda team being banned for two races.

But Nick Heidfeld, the German who would have to make way for Button, insisted he can produce the results that will make it impossible for Williams to sack him.

Heidfeld has already claimed one podium appearance this season, for a brilliant drive from 10th on the grid to third place in the Malaysian Grand Prix. But the 27-year-old has promised he can win before the end of the season and that should enable him to keep his drive with Williams in 2006.

He said: "There have been rumours for a long time that if I didn't perform then our test driver, Antonio Pizzonia, would take over. Now the talk is of Jenson coming here.

"But I don't feel under any pressure. The best thing I can do is perform well on the circuit. If you don't perform then you're out. But if I do well I will have no problems."