BAR chief encouraged by new line-up

Jenson Button will complete one of the strongest driver line-ups in 2006 after winning his contract battle to stay at BAR Honda.

Button will be joined by Rubens Barrichello and the team’s sporting director Gil de Ferran believes the new line-up will be as strong as any on the Formula One grid.

Button’s decision to stay and Barrichello’s move from Ferrari means current driver Takuma Sato’s best option with the team is as a test driver.

“I am very pleased that our team will feature one of the strongest driver line-ups in Formula One for 2006 and beyond,” claimed De Ferran.

“I know both Rubens and Jenson well and I have every confidence that they will work well together to develop our car and team whilst competing strongly at the race track.”

He added: “I have enjoyed working with Taku over the past year and I wish him well for the future.”

Button had faced moving to a Williams team without BMW engines in 2006 and did not relish the prospect of racing for a team powered by Cosworth.

Rather than make the move to Williams, the British driver entered into talks with Sir Frank Williams which have concluded with Button understood to have agreed to pay between £10m (€14.5m) and £20m (€29.6m) to get out of his contract.

Button added: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone at the team (BAR), at Honda and our tyre partner Michelin for their support over the past three years.

“The effort that has gone into building this team into what it is today has been relentless.

“It’s been a privilege to be a part of BAR Honda and I am delighted that I will be part of its future.”

Nick Fry, BAR Honda chief executive officer, added: “Takuma Sato has been an extremely valuable and much-liked member of our team for four years in the roles of test driver, third driver and, latterly, race driver.

“He has made an enormous contribution to BAR Honda’s development. Takuma’s current contract reaches its conclusion at the end of 2005 but BAR Honda is in discussions with Takuma and his management regarding possibilities for the future.”