Fry eager for Button to stay

BAR-Honda chief executive Nick Fry wants to tie Jenson Button to the team for the rest of his racing career.

Fry knows his team faces a fight in trying to hold onto the ambitious Englishman. He sought to rejoin rivals Williams for 2005 last summer only for a court to rule that he had to stay put.

But Fry, who took over the running of BAR from Dave Richards at the end of last season, is eager to align his team’s long-term future with Button.

“Clearly, our aim is to keep Jenson as long as we possibly can, and if he can be with us for the rest of his career that would please us immensely,” he said.

The Brackley-based outfit have struggled to replicate their outstanding 2004 season so far, with Button yet to finish a race this year.

BAR has struggled for pace and reliability, factors which could yet see Button walk to Williams for 2006 under a performance clause in his contract.

But the team looked to have found some speed at a test at Barcelona last week, and Fry admits that competitiveness is the only barometer that matters to a top-line driver like Button.

“Obviously, racing drivers want to be in the best car and it is our job to give him that and we are clearly focused on doing that,” he told The People.

“I have told Jenson to be patient and promised him that things will pick up - and quickly.

“We have struggled with some technical issues but it looks like we have got to the bottom of them.

“I am extremely confident we will achieve our aim of winning a race or more this year. Anything we can identify that will help the team and Jenson meet his needs is done.”