Button signs for Williams

  • Thread starter Thread starter RacyBacy
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RacyBacy

RacyBacy

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Got the story from here

"There has been a long-term relationship between the BMW WilliamsF1 Team and Jenson, indeed his Formula One career started with the team in 2000," explains team principal, Frank Williams. "We have maintained that relationship until the present day, and I am delighted that one of the most talented drivers in Formula One has accepted the opportunity to return to the team."

Teaming up with Webber then ... should be interesting!
 
Good to see Williams showing their loyalty towards Button. I bet he has a nice wage increase to be happy about too. Oh, and the free BMW M5 company car! :)
 
I think that's crap news personally. BAR has been a lot stronger than Williams this year and regardless of what happens next year, I think Button had the chance to shape a team around himself, bring them together and drive them forward (ala Michael @ Ferrari) and he's just signed his way out of it.

Wonder where BAR goes from here then, I'm surprised to say the least.
 
I must say, I am a bit shocked. BAR was definitely been on the upward slope of a progression curve, Williams on the downslope. Personally I think:
  • It is a mistake returning to a team that fired you a few years previously because "you werent good enough". Granted he has improved since, but it is like getting fired from your job, and then getting hired back. It is never quite the same.
  • It is my opinion that the BAR is a better package then the Williams.

I never really liked him to begin with, now even less so going to my least favourite team.
 
Eagle
I think that's crap news personally. BAR has been a lot stronger than Williams this year and regardless of what happens next year, I think Button had the chance to shape a team around himself, bring them together and drive them forward (ala Michael @ Ferrari) and he's just signed his way out of it.

Wonder where BAR goes from here then, I'm surprised to say the least.
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I read in the paper that BAR decided not to renew his contract, which is odd to say the least. I would've rather seen him stay at BAR, damnit.
 
IMO he's much better off at BAR with this years stats. But if BMW can pull together a good package then it should be a strong team. Good luck to him.

I'm very suprised to hear BAR kicked him:confused:
 
Blake
Don't blame me!
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I was just clearing up the fact that BAR didn't give him the boot.

BAR have made a statement that "Jenson is under contract with BAR for 2005". Apparently Williams signed Button after BAR didn't take up an option on his services for 2005. However, BAR say they did take up the option last month. David Richards says "It is our intention to enforce our current contractual position with Jenson".
 
It would be unlike Frank to sign someone under contract - it's very rare for Williams to poach drivers.

Hell of a line-up for '05 - two young guys with a few seasons under their belts, a couple of good testers (although with Webber in the line-up I wonder if Pizzonia will hang around - it was comical to see Webber holding Pizzonia off in Germany after Pizza's comments about Webber's alleged favoured status at Jaguar...) in the line-up as well.

I think it's also a bit harsh to say Williams sacked Button - he was moved aside to bring Montoya on-board, and was actually still under Williams contract for a couple of seasons, and when that expired there simply wasn't room for him there, with Ralf and Monty under contract. I think Frank was fairly keen to get Jenson back on board eventually.

I wouldn't say Williams were on the slide - you've got two drivers heading elsewhere next season, one of whom is injured. I don't they've been particularly focussed since it was apparent Ferrari were dominant again - if you had a new team next year, would you burst a gasket hoping Ferrari would have problems?
 
Mmm...I can understand why Richards would be upset. I'm sure BAR's sponsors are interested in what happens next.
Will it be the right move? BAR have done well this season, though it's been Button who has reaped nearly all their points.
Still, it is a shock. I bet nobody saw that coming! Who's taking his place in BAR? As far as I know the only driver without a ride is Coulthard.
 
Eagle
BAR has been a lot stronger than Williams this year and regardless of what happens next year, I think Button had the chance to shape a team around himself, bring them together and drive them forward (ala Michael @ Ferrari) and he's just signed his way out of it.
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I agree with you Eagle. Button and BAR are doing great ... why leave a team that is doing better than the team you are moving to? (Currently, BAR-Honda are on 76 points and Williams-BMW on 47 points in the constructors championship). The saga of where Jenson is going seems to continue ...
 
Yes there seems to be quite a furore and a lot of conjecture over just where everyone stands, it'll be interesting to see what the contract recognition board has to say. Frank Williams seemed to suggest that he spoke to Richards quite promptly and they agreed to handle it privately and professionally, but that doesn't seem to have happened.

As for drivers for next season, let's wait to see just who comes away holding the Button contract, however, if he does indeed want to move to Williams and he gets blocked from doing so, how happy will be be stuck at BAR?
 
well, this is a hell of a surprise, and BAR and richards arnt very happy. it was a bit of a shock to read this story in the paper this morning (only about 5 lines on the story though, shows australia's f1 coverage aint up to scratch)
 
I'd rather Button didn't move, though obviously my opinion makes no difference to anything!
But BAR have come on so well this year that it seems strange to want to ditch them, even if Williams are technically the better team. BAR are in such a strong position for next year.
I quite like Button as a person, but I must admit this has been handled badly and I'm not sure if he will come out of it smelling of roses.
 
Hopefully Williams have a good enough car next year to merit his decision.
 
Montoya is joining McLaren-Mercedes next season, taking Coulthards place. Hakkinen may be joining BAR if/when Button leaves. This time of year is like musical chairs for F1.
 
JPM anounced that last year. At the start of this seasen I was worried for him but now it looks like he'll be in good shape for '05:tup:
 
hakkinen joining BAR is a load of bollocks i reakon. my tip, anthony davidson.....its logical. test driver who is awesome moving up the ranks. i would like to see heidfeld get a better ride though
 
He signed with Williams for '05 but he already had a contract with BAR for '05
 
It's all pretty convoluted at the moment, we're going to have to wait to see what the courts have to say sadly. I really can't imagine Williams announcing the deal unless they were absolutely certain about it - Frank doesn't joke around and I doubt he wants to look like he and his team didn't do their homework either.
 
Yes, he doesn't want to look like that but I think he didn't do his homework. But then again Button approached Williams (so I am informed) saying he was free next season so maybe Button was confused about his contract.:dunce:
 

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