[19/09/05 - 17:08]
Button – BAR announcement imminent
Paying off Williams to stay at BAR Honda?
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BAR nor Button has yet to confirm any deal
Jenson Button is to remain at BAR Honda in 2006 and will not be moving over to Williams Cosworth at the end of the season
Autosport-Atlas report this afternoon. Should the news be confirmed, Button will line up alongside Rubens Barrichello in the team next year with Takuma Sato stepping down to a test role with the team.
Button signed a deal with Williams last year that would see him move to the squad should he not secure a certain number of points by a certain date. After a disastrous start to the season, that points total was never going to be attained and Button’s contract with Williams for 2006 and 2007 kicked in.
With BMW departing the Williams scene at the end of the year to take over the Sauber team and Williams running Cosworth power next year, Button stated that he did not want to drive for the team but wanted to stay at BAR Honda. While Button’s image took yet another public bashing, it seems a deal has now been concluded and Button will remain at BAR with Williams receiving a pay-off for Button’s contract.
Button, yet to win a Grand Prix after 98 starts, believes that he is more likely to win races and the title with BAR Honda than with Williams.
With Button staying firmly put and Nick Heidfeld heading off to the new BMW squad, Williams will be looking for a partner for Mark Webber next season with both Antonio Pizzonia and GP2 racer Nico Rosberg aiming for the race seat. The team is expected to run a third car in the Friday practice sessions next year for either Pizzonia or Rosberg.
Earl ALEXANDER
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