Button could lose licence

Button announced last Thursday that he had signed a contract with Williams for the 2005 season after his management, Essentially Sport, found a loophole in his existing contract with BAR which allows him to switch teams.

Meanwhile, BAR team boss David Richards insists the team has already taken up Button's option for next year and that the Briton will be driving for them.

"We have a contracts board in Geneva which will examine the issue and decide what's right and what's wrong, if anything," Ecclestone told the Sunday Sport newspaper. "If Button is found to be in breach of contract with BAR and wants to move on illegally he could lose his superlicence and that would mean he couldn't drive for Williams.

"Morally, Jenson has an obligation to stay but when agents, promises and big money come into it morals go out the window," he added. "We are not like football - I like to think our players stick to their agreements and promises."

Ecclestone also added that Button's reputation could suffer should the Briton switch teams because of a technicality with his BAR contract.

"If a technicality allows him out of his contract I don't think he would be much of a gentleman to take it," Ecclestone said.