Button signs four-year BAR contract

Jenson Button signs four-year contract with British American Racing.

BAR team principal Dave Richards, who revealed he only firmed up Button’s arrival after yesterday’s race, immediately tipped his new driver to take the world crown.

He said: ‘‘I was staggered when I heard Renault were releasing Jenson. And when I was made aware there was no binding issue between him and Williams, I immediately set about securing him.

‘‘It happened quite quickly. But when you get an opportunity like this, you don’t sit on the sidelines - you make a quick decision.

‘‘It wasn’t certain Jenson was a BAR driver until after the race yesterday.

‘‘It’s a two-year contract with a two-year option - but I look at it as a four-year agreement as that’s what it’s going to be at the end of the day.

‘‘And in that period I’m convinced Jenson will world champion.’’