F1: Button Signs for Williams!

[London Geezer]

Am i missing something?

I mean, Button's contract was a 2-year one. It expires. Button gets a new contract for after his current contract expires. Everyone should be happy.

So, what the hell is the problem?

 

[Unknown Soldier]

The problem comes where BAR had already taken up the option to renew Jenson's contract a month ago.

Now jenson has decided to take the Williams contract.. except that the BAR contract is still binding.

Jenson's management decided to see if they could get out of the contract by calling the Honda contract with BAR, where it states that Honda can leave BAR at anytime if they want.

They saw this as a loop hole in the contract and went ahead and did a deal with Williams.

Now it's been ruled that the BAR contract is still a proper contract ... and the only way I can see out for Jenson is if Honda decide to pull out by the end of the year.. although that seems unlikely.

 

[Bouncing Zabaglione Bros.]

Now it's been ruled that the BAR contract is still a proper contract ... and the only way I can see out for Jenson is if Honda decide to pull out by the end of the year.. although that seems unlikely.

There is one thing. Honda desperately want a Japanese driver to get some wins. They are putting big pressure on BAR at a time when BAR are seriously thinking of dumping Sato. Sato is fast, but just not getting the results. He's to inconsistent and BAR are thinking about replacing him. I can see a possible situation where BAR decide to drop Sato, and Honda decide to leave F1 (as they have done in the past).
It's also possible that Honda may not want to deal with Mosely's new engine restrictions, and have kept themselves a way out in case they decide not to stay in F1.

This would leave BAR without a top engine supplier, and would allow Button to jump ship.

 

[Unknown Soldier]

BMW Williams hit out at BAR

BMW Williams today hit out at BAR Honda's press release which stated that 'BAR Contract with Jenson Button is the only valid contract registered for the 2005 season.' BMW Williams claim that BAR's statement is misleading and that the Contract Recognition Board are simply confirming that they do have a contract lodged between Jenson Button and BAR.

The following is a Press Release from BMW Williams in which they state that Button also has a contract with BMW Williams for 2005.

"In relation to the statement issued by BAR, the BMW WilliamsF1 Team reiterate it is Jenson’s intention to drive for the team in 2005, and that his contractual position provides for this. The team would also like to clarify the following matters: -

The Contracts Recognition Board (CRB) is not a constituent element of the FIA, but an independent body set up under the Concorde Agreement between the Formula One teams, the commercial rights holder (FOM) & the FIA. It is therefore wholly incorrect to refer or indicate that the decisions made by the CRB are an endorsement of a legal position by the FIA.

BAR’s statement today is misleading. BAR have registered what they believe to be a valid claim over Jenson Button for 2005. The CRB have not endorsed the validity of this claim, but have simply confirmed receipt of BAR’s documentation.

This does not mean that their contract is valid, or holds precedence over other contracts with Jenson Button.

As a matter of record, WilliamsF1 has a contract with Jenson Button deposited with the CRB in October 22, 2002. Receipt of this deposit was also acknowledged by the CRB.

In the opinion of the BMW WilliamsF1 Team, BAR have failed in their responsibility to correctly exercise certain option clauses in their contract with Jenson Button, and as such, their contract has expired, and Williams’ contract is valid.

The CRB does not, in all cases, make final adjudication on contractual disputes, and may refer cases to the appropriate legal authorities.

The BMW WilliamsF1 Team has a commitment to correctly represent the outcome of this process to the media as and when a conclusion is reached."

News Source: http://f1.racing-live.com/en/headlines/news/detail/040810170834.shtml]F1 Racing Live[/url]

 

[Unknown Soldier]

There is one thing. Honda desperately want a Japanese driver to get some wins. They are putting big pressure on BAR at a time when BAR are seriously thinking of dumping Sato. Sato is fast, but just not getting the results. He's to inconsistent and BAR are thinking about replacing him. I can see a possible situation where BAR decide to drop Sato, and Honda decide to leave F1 (as they have done in the past).
It's also possible that Honda may not want to deal with Mosely's new engine restrictions, and have kept themselves a way out in case they decide not to stay in F1.

This would leave BAR without a top engine supplier, and would allow Button to jump ship.

But why would Honda want to jump ship atm? They are third in the constructors(9 points behind Renault) and third in the drivers(Jenson is 13 points behind Rubens).

Why would Honda want to pull out after such a strong showing? For a japanese driver? Surely not. Not while they are doing so strong. Sato is good.. but he has got to show that he can be consistant for the rest of the season.

As for the engine regulations .. it's not just Honda that is affected, all the other teams are in the same boat so I can't really see why Honda would want to pull out because of it.

In fact if BAR do replace Sato and get someone in to be more consistant or maybe even strong enough to win the championship(Jenson being one if he doesn't leave) then next year can be a very interesting season.

I know Jenson has said it's not the money about why he wants to go.. but that's the only conclusion one can come up with.

Sure Willaims can pick the cat out of the bag next year and have an awesome car.. but so can BAR, so can Renault and so can McLaren. If anything is to go by I reckon BAR should be up there next year. Something must have happened between Button and Richards to have caused Jenson to go over(been rumoured that Richards has not paid Button his performance bonus yet), that or the money.

Anyways.. if Jenson does leave it leaves space for Mika to come back. I hope he is still motivated enough to do a good job.

 

[Unknown Soldier]

Button and BAR

As the increasingly bitter war of words continues between BAR Honda and BMW Williams regarding the services of Jenson Button for the 2005 season, many have questioned what was the original trigger for Jenson Button and his manager John Byfield to seek a drive with another team?

Button himself has already gone on record stating that his potential move to BMW Williams has nothing to do with money, but is based on what he believes will be a team more likely to deliver him his ultimate ambition – the World Championship.

However, rumours have suggested for some time that a dispute between Button and BAR regarding prize money has been ongoing for some time. While the exact figure is speculative, various publications put the bonus money at between $30,000 and $50,000 per point scored.

In 2003 Button scored 17 points, so the bonus money would not have been such an issue. According to the Times newspaper, Button’s impressive points tally this season may have led the squad to try and renegotiate the points bonus money.

However, British American Tobacco has been delighted with Button’s performances this season and it hard to see that such ‘relatively’ small amounts of money could have been a major stumbling block given the astronomical budgets taken to run a successful Formula One operation today. This brings us back to square one. What was the trigger?

The Formula One community, the workers and management at both BAR Honda and BMW Williams, as well as fans world-wide now await a definitive decision from the much-talked about Contracts Recognition Board or failing that the law courts. Perhaps then, the bigger picture will become apparent and this sorry saga can be laid to rest once and for all.