BAR determined to hold on to Button

BAR boss Nick Fry has revealed the team are “doubly determined” to keep Jenson Button for next season, but appreciate the matter is out of their hands.

In the wake of Button’s first podium finish for BAR at yesterday’s German Grand Prix, Fry remarkably revealed the 25-year-old wants to remain with the outfit in 2006.

That could prove problematic as Button has a contract with Williams for next year, and it remains to be seen whether he can extricate himself from the deal.

In a reversal of the situation last year, when Button wanted to go to Williams but had an agreement with BAR, it was the latter who won the day after the situation was resolved by an independent organisation known as the Contract Recognitions Board.

Fry can understand Button’s eagerness to stay with BAR, in particular as Williams are now struggling, and are unlikely to be backed by BMW for next season with the German car manufacturing giants to take over Sauber.

“The work that has been done by the team to make the car go faster, and the work done by Honda on the engine is all starting to come together and hopefully there will be more of these days,” said Fry.

“It was a great performance from Jenson and the team, and it makes us doubly determined to keep him here for next season. Jenson demonstrated quite clearly why we want to keep him.

“He overtook a numerous-time world champion in Michael Schumacher who was determined in front of his home crowd to keep Jenson behind him, yet Jenson found a way by and pulled out a lot, so he has reinforced our desire.

“The other team that wants him seems to be in trouble at the moment, so when you look at the short and long-term perspectives, any driver would want to be here given a choice between the two.”

When asked as to whether he had been given any indication from Button regarding the future, Fry replied: “Yeah, Jenson wants to stay here. But the ball is in Jenson’s court to now sort it out with Williams. The person in the frame who needs to front this up is Jenson.”

Frank Williams insists Button will be with his team next year as he said: “We do have an existing contract for Jenson for ’06, and we fully expect him to arrive at Williams at the due period of time.”

But Fry believes Williams would not want to take on a de-motivated individual as Button would become if he was forced to move to the Grove marque.

“I certainly wouldn’t want any employee, let alone a driver in my team, who didn’t want to be here,” stated Fry.

“You can take a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink. Motor racing is a dangerous activity, and I don’t believe it’s right to force anyone to do something they don’t want to do. That’s too dangerous.

“The driver has the pivotal role in the team, and if they are not fully motivated and they don’t want to be at a particular team, then they are not going to do anything to the best of their ability.”

Button has come to appreciate he is with a team who are heading in the right direction, for after his third successive points-scoring finish, he said: “This was a good race, a lot of fun as it was nice to actually be battling with someone.

“It was the first time this year I have been able to push from start to finish with the car. It was a good weekend for us and I have to thank the whole team who have done a great job.

“To get a podium here after such a tough season is a fantastic result and it can only mean better things for us for the rest of the year.

“Things just seem to be getting better and better with every race. We’re moving forward and hopefully in two or three races’ time we will be close enough to put the Renaults and McLarens under pressure. I don’t know if that’s possible but that would be fantastic.”