Button decision expected soon

By Andrew Hooper
September 7 2004

   
Button decision in next few weeks
 
In a press conference in London Jenson Button spoke of his decision to move to the BMW WilliamsF1 team and the reasons behind his decision. He also clarified his position in regard to his relationship with the BAR team.

As for his chances of moving to the WilliamsF1 team,  a matter which is to be heard by the Contract Recognition Board, Button expressed his confidence that his move will go ahead. It is expected that the board will look at the matter in the next few weeks with a decision to be made shortly there after.

As for his reasons in deciding to leave BAR Button made it clear that he felt that the BAR team did not offer him the opportunity to challenge for the Drivers championship. It did not involve money even though Button indicated that he would have been better off financially by staying with BAR.

Button said: "I don't think BAR is the right place to be next year because I don't think they will be able to challenge for the Championship. I think that Williams in future is the team to be with. They've got the resources and Mark Webber and myself will be a great team.

"Continuity is important but if you're not sure which direction the team is going, it's very difficult to be happy there.

He added: "A Formula One driver's career has to keep moving. I can't keep finishing third or fourth in the Championship. Money is not my aim in Formula One. My reason for moving to Williams is to be World Champion."

Button also made the point that even though he has been successful with the BAR team that there has been issues between himself and the team.

Button said "One of the reasons why I wanted to move on is because I am not one hundred percent happy at the team, and one of the reasons I've not been happy is that there are issues with the contract."

As for the CRB Button added: "I think the CRB will understand our position and I'll be [at Williams] next year. I wouldn't be going through all of this if I didn't think it was possible. It's never one hundred percent certain, but I'm pretty sure I'm going to be with Williams next year.

As for the dispute between BAR and the WilliamsF1 team as to who has a valid contract with Button Jenson said that he would have preferred that the matter had been resolved without going through a very public process.

Button added: "I would rather it had been a lot easier, I don't really like the way it's been handled at all. It's not a nice position to be in. We had an agreement to be with BAR for two years. I honoured that agreement and I think I did a good job.

"So I'd rather it was a much more simple move and we hadn't got into such a big argument about it."

 
 
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