LONDON, 7 September 2004 — Jenson Button’s Formula One future moved closer to a resolution yesterday after Williams lodged a contract they hope will confirm the driver’s switch from BAR.
A Williams spokesman said the team had deposited the necessary paperwork with Formula One’s contract recognition board (CRB).
BAR, who do not want Button to leave, have also lodged a contract. Williams’ move will now leave in the hands of the Swiss-based board the decision as to which team has the right to the 24-year-old’s services next year.
Depending on the date of a hearing, yet to be decided, the CRB could rule on the matter by the end of September.
Button announced he was leaving BAR last month, a shock decision that stunned the Honda-powered team and pitched them into a tug-of-war with Williams.
BMW-powered Williams, who gave Button his Formula One debut in 2000, believe that their two-year deal with the Briton is water-tight.
The team spokesman said they had delayed registering the contract while private negotiations to resolve the situation were ongoing.
The delay in filing a contract had triggered fears that the dispute between the two teams could rumble on well beyond the end of the current season in October and end in a battle through the law courts.
Williams have also signed Australian Mark Webber from Jaguar in an all-new line-up for 2005 to replace departing Ralf Schumacher and Juan Pablo Montoya. Button, who escaped unhurt from a big crash at the last Belgian Grand Prix, is third in the championship with four races remaining.
‘I Got Off Lightly,’ Says Schumacher
Meanwhile, Formula One racing champion Michael Schumacher said yesterday that his high-speed crash last week would not stop him going all-out for victory in the Italian Grand Prix.
In comments posted on his website, Schumacher said he is fully-motivated for the Monza race at the weekend and reiterated that he is not thinking of retiring.
