Sunday May 28th, 2000

Formula One driver Jenson Button was fined 5,000 French francs ($699) after he was caught speeding on a French motorway at the weekend.

The 20-year-old Button, who is in his debut Formula One season with BMW-Williams, was reprimanded by police after reaching a speed of 230 kph in a BMW 330 diesel car on Saturday.

Until he is 21, the Briton is allowed to drive only diesel cars in mainland Europe, despite his experience of driving a Formula One car at more than 200 kph at circuits around the world.

BMW-Williams team spokesman Nav Sidhu confirmed on Sunday: "Jenson was stopped for speeding in Montpellier on Saturday. There will be no implications in terms of points on his licence. He has just received a mandatory fine."

Button is in the south of France preparing for the Monaco Grand Prix on June 4.