BAR Eye First Win as they Wait for Button Verdict

BAR, waiting for a ruling on Jenson Button's future, hope to crown their most successful Formula One season with a first win on Sunday.

"This is the last chance we have of a win this season and probably the best chance over the last few races," said 24-year-old Button of the season-ending Brazilian grand prix.

"You need good braking stability at Interlagos because a lot of the time you're braking and turning at the same time. I think we have that so we are looking strong," added the Briton in a team preview.

Button has agreed to return to Williams, the team with which he made his debut in 2000 and in Brazil that year became Formula One's youngest ever points scorer with sixth place. BAR say they have a binding contract and are confident that Formula One's Contract Recognition Board will uphold their position.

The tug-of-war is set to be resolved with a verdict on Wednesday after an all-day hearing in Milan last Saturday. Both sides have said they will abide by the ruling.

The rift has failed to throw either Button or BAR off their stride, with the Briton third in the Championship and chalking up his 10th podium finish of the year at the last race in Japan.

BAR, who entered the sport in 1999 and were for so long Formula One's under-achievers, look certain to finish as runners-up in the Constructors' Championship with a 16-point lead over third placed Renault.

The team set a target at the start of the season of finishing at least fourth, taking a first win, five podium finishes and at least 85 points. All, bar the win, have been easily met.

"When we get that win, that will be the highlight," said team boss David Richards, who warned also that there would be no slowing down next year. "If we do clinch second, we just have to make sure that we use that as a platform to build from now and not allow ourselves to become complacent. Not that I believe that will happen.

"We haven't set any specific targets for next year yet but very clearly we have to continue with the progress that we've seen this year," he added. "The quantum leap that we made this season is bound to be one of the biggest steps the team will see.

"Next year it will probably be a series of smaller steps but nonetheless now we've set ourselves high targets like this year, we must ensure that we don't go backwards."