Button closer to BAR contract

JENSON BUTTON could be confirmed as a BAR-Honda driver for next season later today as his contract row nears a conclusion.

The 25-year-old has a contract for 2006 and beyond with Williams but has been attempting to escape that deal since deciding in July he would prefer to stay at BAR.

Behind-the-scenes talks have been underway since the summer and Button reported two weeks’ ago in Belgium that progress was being made. Now it seems likely an announcement on the conclusion of those negotiations will be made in the next couple of days, probably on Wednesday.

Neither BAR nor Williams has made any official statement but it is believed Button has negotiated a fee with Frank Williams to release him from his contract, with estimates varying from €14.8m to €29.65m.

Explaining his decision to turn his back on Williams, who handed him his Formula One debut in 2000, Button claimed their immediate prospects do not look good.

Speaking prior to the Hungarian Grand Prix when news of his decision was made public, he said: “I have been in Formula One for six years now and I am ready to win races. I am ready to challenge for the world championship.

“I can’t wait for another three years to build a team up. I need to be with a team that’s fulfilling it short term and one that has a works engine manufacturer.

“It wasn’t a hard decision to come to. It’s something I’ve been thinking about for a long time even since last year when I found out how serious Honda were about being involved in the team and how focused they are on winning the world championship.”

Button says his failed attempt to join Williams for this season was an error but he is convinced he has not made a similar miscalculation 12 months on.

“I made a mistake definitely,” he said. “I could say I was misguided but I have to take the responsibility as well.

“My career is in my hands a lot more this year. I am in a much better position and I am much happier. It is a crucial decision but I’ve picked the right one. The choice that I have made is the right choice for the future.”

If Button is confirmed as a BAR driver next season, he will link up with Rubens Barrichello, who joins from Ferrari.

Williams must set about looking for a replacement for Button, with GP2 championship leader Nico Rosberg tipped to team up with Mark Webber.