Button dispute continues

The announcement that Jenson Button will be returning to the BMW WilliamsF1 team in 2005 has seen the BAR team demand that Jenson Button's management company, Essentially Sport, arrange a meeting between Button and members of the BAR team to discuss the issue of him leaving the team.

BAR's David Richards said: "We have been trying to talk to Jenson for days. He has a clear duty to all of those who've worked with him for the last two years to explain to them what is going on. We have complete confidence in the strength of our contractual rights, and in the option that we have exercised for 2005."

The BAR team claims that Button was informed, well in advance of the option period ending, that the team would require his services in 2005. This was forwarded to Button's management company. It is also stated by the BAR team that the notice to exercise the teams option for Button in 2005 was lodged with F1's Contract Recognition Board.

Richard's added: "If people make commitments they should keep them, and I will use every means available to me to make sure that all the requirements of our contract are met. If we do not have a meeting with Jenson by Monday night to sort this out, the processes to enforce our rights under the contract will commence without further notice."

In response to these statements coming from BAR management Button again made it clear that he would be driving for WillimasF1 in 2005.

In an interview with BBC radio Button said: "I am going to be driving for Williams next season. I'm not a legal expert but from the information I have I am able to race for Williams next year.

"My main aim in Formula One is to be World Champion and I want to challenge Michael Schumacher for the next few years and to do that Williams is the best team."

In the interview Button spoke of how he enjoyed his time with BAR but that the WilliamsF1 team would offer him the ability to challenge for the championship next year.

Button added: "BAR have been a really great team to work with and I've enjoyed every moment with them. The atmosphere will be a bit different now but these things do happen.

"Formula One is not just about this season, and the resources at Williams are fantastic and they are a team that will be challenging for the World Championship next year."

With both sides claiming that they are in the right it would appear that this matter is far from been resolved.