He is so desperate not to have to switch from BAR, he is allegedly even willing to use his own money to buy himself out of the Williams contract. I find that quite hilarious given how badly he wanted out of BAR a year ago. What comes around...
Sir Frank Williams is our for revenge this year: Last year BAR denied him access to Button. Then BAR refused to let even Anthony Davidson go to Williams. I would be surprized if one of the two things happens: Button ends up at Williams in 2006 OR BAR, Honda and Button basically bank roll Williams in 2006 by a huge pay off to keep Button at BAR.
A bigger question is have we seen the best of the Williams team in general ? With them losing BMW power how long will it be before they lose sponsors (HP and Allianz come to mind)that wanted to align themselves with BMW more so than Williams ? I think that perhaps if Williams loses it's big ticket sponsors then they will slip back as a perennial mid field team in a sport dominated by large car makers. Not good for Frank. Having Button certainly would help in attracting sponorship but with Cosworth for 06 and Toyota power for 07 and beyond there's no sign that Williams will be fighting for a WDC or WCC any time soon. Although the Cosworth may be the engine of choice come this time next year but that's another discussion. IMO Jense will stay with BAR but it will be costly but Frank needs the dough for engines and sponsors that may walk.
Frank has been there before when Honda dumped him abruptly. He'll dig himself out of this hole as well. With Heidfeld gone, they'll have an open seat for a big ticket driver next year.
My prediction is there will be a horse trade. Button stays at BAR and Williams gets Honda engines in return. It's really very simple once you think about it.
Too late, Williams already said they would use Cosworth. Honda better think of something good, as should Button.
If Williams gets Honda engine, I would think that JB WILL want to go be at Williams. I think the whole problem at Williams right now is the engine issue, not the team issue. I think the potential at Williams is far greater than BAR at this point in time.
British Law has already weighed in on the subject. You can't make someone work someplace they don't want to even if you have a contract with them to do so. As long as Button doesn't start work at Williams he'll be able to stay at BAR. Good article here.
Yeah, but doesn't the agreement with Williams require that Williams must have a "top" engine supplier in order for Button to go over to them from BAR? As much as I love the history of Cosworth since the Ford Cosworth DFV days, Cosworth is hardly a "top" engine supplier.
What I heard is that Williams will sign a 1 year deal with Cosworth and then they will be looking for a new engine supplier in 2007. Many say it will be Totoya in 2007. The Button story... Funny now he wants to stay with BAR. Last year he was crying because he couldn't get a deal with Williams. Because of him..Mika Hakkinen didn't come back in F1. Mika was about the sign a deal but when he heard that Sir Frank Williams was talking to Jenson he changed his mind. Atleast this whole Button/Williams saga helped Heidfeld's career...
Agree. Frank is not Eddie Jordan, and takes his motorracing seriously and puts his teams performance first ... not the size of her tits or how loud the party is. Pete
Agree. Here's our man Eddie: http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/5558/048hm.jpg http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/4061/eddiejtimmymallett8ue.jpg
I hope he can get out of it and suffers a miserable season at BAR while Williams celebrates a comeback. Wouldn't that be funny, lightening strikes twice...
all the rumours are pointing towards Lexus badged Toyota powered Williams in 2007, i think thatll be quite potent. my money is on toyota to clean up next year with the v8s. pez
I, for one, am tired of hearing about Button's situation. I don't know why he feels the need to let the entire world know about his contract situation. He came out looking like a damn fool last year when he didn't get his way, and that image will only be multiplied if it doesn't work out for him again. The inner twinings of a team's contract situation should remain internal until a definite conclusion is reached, and only then should it be announced to the media. He should have taken a page out of Villeneuve's notebook. Does he think by crying to the media that Frank Williams will cave? No freaking way!
