Williams lodge Button contract with F1 chiefs

The row over Jenson Button’s future edged closer to a resolution today.

Williams this morning lodged the contract they have between themselves and the Englishman for 2005 with Formula One’s contract recognition board (CRB).

The board, which was set up over a decade ago to resolve contract disputes after Michael Schumacher’s controversial switch from Jordan to Benetton, now has contracts from BAR and Williams concerning Button.

BAR submitted their contract with Button before the 24-year-old announced his shock decision to move to Williams from next season and they claim to have the only binding deal for 2005.

However, Williams are also convinced their contract is legal after Button exercised an opt-out clause to leave BAR.

They delayed submitting their contract in order to seek a peaceful resolution to the dispute without the need for a CRB judgement.

The matter is now in the hands of the CRB and they will decide who Button drives for next season, with the matter now looking increasingly less likely to go to court.

The CRB’s decision will be final as world governing body the FIA only give super licenses – necessary to compete in Formula One – to drivers whose contracts are approved.