Thursday February 24th, 2000

BMW-Williams driver Jenson Button, who missed testing this week because of a back injury, is certain to take part in the season-opening Australian Grand Prix next month, BMW said on Thursday.

A BMW spokesman said there was "a 100 percent chance" that the British driver would be fit to make his world championship debut on March 12 in Melbourne.

Button, the spokesman added, would test the car next week at Silverstone in England. Test driver Bruno Junqueira has taken over this week's sessions on Thursday and Friday in Spain.

The 20-year-old Button will partner German Ralf Schumacher this season after replacing Italian Alex Zanardi.