BAR Move Not a Gamble, Says Button

Briton Jenson Button said that joining the British American Racing team is not a gamble, and he is confident the Brackley-based outfit will help him clinch his first Formula One World Championship.

Button, 22, has signed a four-year deal to race for BAR - two years fixed and two years with options - and it is understood that part of that deal included a release from the Williams link.

Button secured the deal with BAR after the French Grand Prix on Sunday, and the move was announced in a swish Japanese-themed London hotel which fitted into the team's stylish mould.

Button revealed he dismissed potential deals with Toyota, Jaguar and Sauber to take up the new deal with BAR but he insists he does not view it as a risk and is expecting things to progress rapidly.

"It's not a gamble, not at all," he said. "It's a team that is going to improve definitely throughout the next few years so I think even next year's package is going to be much stronger. I'm more confident than ever of becoming World Champion."

The team now have strong links with Williams, with technical director Geoffrey Willis, chief mechanic Jock Clear and former World Champion driver Villeneuve all part of an ever-increasing connection with Button's former team.

And that, along with the long-standing family connection with new boss David Richards, were the things, said Button, that pulled him towards the team and convinced him to join.

"We have very good people involved with the team, one being David, obviously, and Geoff Willis," Button said. "I was working with him at Williams and he is very, very good at his job.

"I don't know what it is going to be like next year, nobody does, but I have to go on trust and I've known Geoff for a long time and what he has achieved in the past. From what I have heard it sounds very positive for the next few seasons."

Button insisted he no longer has a contract with his former team, Williams-BMW, following his agreement with British American Racing which was announced on Monday.

When asked if there was any remaining deal with Williams, Button said: "There's nothing. The next four years I have got nothing with Williams. Obviously I had long talks with Frank and that's the way it is now. There is not a contract."