Button Confirms Previous Disputes with BAR

Jenson Button confirmed today that he has had contractual disputes with BAR management for quite some time, the Briton stating he had not been altogether happy with his current team.

Atlas F1 reported a month ago that Button's decision to move to Williams followed months of attempts by his management to part ways with BAR and reunite him with his first Formula One team, following what the driver's management saw as a contractual breach.

"Contractually we had some differences since the end of 2003, and it hasn't been resolved since," Button said at a London press conference. "One of the reasons why I wanted to move on is because I am not one hundred percent happy at the team, and one of the reasons I've not been happy is that there are issues with the contract."

The dispute over Button is now set for a decision at the Contract Recognition Board, an independent arbitration body, comprised of three lawyers, which resides in Switzerland. Williams said today a decision by the CRB is expected at the end of this month.

"I think the CRB will understand our position and I'll be [at Williams] next year," Button said today. "I wouldn't be going through all of this if I didn't think it was possible. It's never one hundred percent certain, but I'm pretty sure I'm going to be with Williams next year.

Button said however he would have rather seen this matter resolved in a more dignified manner, rather than have to dispute the matter in public and through legal proceedings.

"I would rather it had been a lot easier, I don't really like the way it's been handled at all. It's not a nice position to be in," the Briton said. "We had an agreement to be with BAR for two years. I honoured that agreement and I think I did a good job.

"So I'd rather it was a much more simple move and we hadn't got into such a big argument about it."