Villeneuve to Button: Be a gentleman racer if you want to lose F-1 title'

London, Oct.1 (ANI): Jacques Villeneuve has told Jenson Button to be a gentleman racer if he wants to lose the Formula One title.

The Canadian became world champion in 1997 by defeating Michael Schumacher in one of the most acrimonious title scraps ever. And now, he has advised Button's rival and Brawn teammate Rubens Barrichello to pull every stroke he can to win, reports The Mirror.

Villeneuve was speaking ahead of Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix where British ace Button has his first chance to get his hands on Lewis Hamilton's crown. He just needs five points more than his title rival to achieve his lifetime's ambition.

Villeneuve said: "Whoever wins the championship is a hero and the other one is a complete loser. No one remembers the guy who lost. In that situation what are you going to do? Help your team-mate? Of course not."

He told Button that the title won't be won at Suzuka, Sao Paulo or Abu Dhabi - but in his own head. (ANI)