Williams announced he has signed a two-year deal to join them next season.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/3540478.stm
Williams announced he has signed a two-year deal to join them next season.
JENSON: WHY I'M OFF TO WILLIAMS
Last Updated: Sunday, 08, August, 2004, 11:23
Jenson Button has broken his silence on his controversial move to Williams.
The Brit revealed he is intent on leaving BAR because he believes Williams offer him a better chance of becoming world champion.
Button told Radio Five Live: "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 1 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.
BAR boss David Richards was furious that he only learnt of Buttons defection through a fax from the 24-year-olds management team.
Richards said he had been unable to contact Button, and has set a deadline of Monday for the pair to sit down and discuss the matter.
Button acknowledged that the controversy is likely to have poisoned his relationship with the team.
He said: "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 1 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."
BUTTON DEAL BINDING, INSISTS FRANK
Last Updated: Saturday, 07, August, 2004, 09:12
Williams have insisted their controversial deal with Jenson Button is perfectly legal.
Frank Williams said on Friday that he rejected BAR boss David Richards accusation that the signing hinged on a ridiculous technicality.
Williams said he had been assured by his lawyers that the move is above board and legally binding.
He said: "The first clear and unequivocal point is that we hold a contract with Jenson. It appears that BAR contest this.
However we are of the firm opinion, on strong legal advice, that BAR lost the opportunity to obtain Jenson and I have no doubt he will be with the Williams-BMW F1 team for 2005.
"Whatever is said about contractual details, one fact is not contestable - Jenson wishes and expects to drive for Williams-BMW in 2005 and 2006 and has made this intention clear."
Williams revealed that his team had only announced the deal last night because they knew that Richards planned to go public in this mornings press.
He said: "We wished to open a dialogue privately with BAR to run through all the contractual issues, however BAR pre-empted us, went to the press, and we have been obliged to make our position clear.
Williams also said he had held out no hope of recruiting Button until the Brits management team made him aware of the clause in his BAR contract.
He admitted: "We assumed it was out of the question but this is an opportunity I have experienced in the past and being a racing team we went for it.
BUTTON FIRES PARTING SHOT
Last Updated: Sunday, 08, August, 2004, 03:09
Jenson Button has criticised BAR's handling of his move to Williams.
The Brit met BAR boss David Richards for face-to-face talks on Sunday during which he made clear his desire to move on.
In a statement released this afternoon, Button said: "Given the circumstances, the meeting was constructive. David is now in doubt of my intention to move to BMW Williams in 2005.
"My contractual position allows for this and I have also clarified that I am not moving for money.
"My motivation is straightforward determination to win a World Championship, determination which I am sure he (Richards) as a competitive person well understands.
"Naturally, the main element of disagreement is whether these ambitions would be better served by BMW Williams or BAR."
Button went on to criticise BAR's handling of negotiations with his management company, Essentially Sport.
He said: "Essentially Sport were not permitted to hold private contractual discussions with BAR. I do not feel it was constructive for BAR to leak details of these discussions.
"I have worked hard and contributed seven podiums and 61 of the team's 76 points this season.
"Drivers are changing teams up and down the paddock at the moment - an accepted and fundamental element of our sport - and I wish that my return to Williams would have been less acrimonious in light of the contribution I have made to BAR this season.
But Button promised that he would continue to give his best to BAR for the rest of the season.
He said: Now that I have met with David and we have both had the opportunity to express our points of view, the most important matter is that the hard work and commitment to racing from everybody in Brackley is repaid with strong results for the remainder of the season, which I have every intention of doing."