Button Hopes to Appeal to Williams

In an exclusive interview with Autosport, Button states unequivocally that he wishes to remain at his current team and stated his belief that Frank Williams would eventually accommodate his desire to remain at BAR, where he believes he could win the World Championship as early as next year.

"I have a contract with Williams for 2006," Button said. "Whether that is binding or not remains to be seen.

"I can understand his (Williams) situation, but he has to understand mine as well. And I want to be with BAR Honda. It's not in a spoilt brat kind of way, it is just this is an important decision for my career.

"I'm sure Williams will be very strong in the future - in three of four years time - but BAR Honda will be strong from the word go."

Button's hopes of being released from the contract, on the back of Frank Williams' comments last weekend that 'nothing' will make him release the Briton from his grasp, suggests that some kind of a settlement would be required to appease Williams, or else the matter could end up in a legal battle.

But Button believes he would be able to appeal to Williams by convincing him that he is doing the right thing in wanting to stay at BAR, because he has to do what is best for his own career.

Eleven months ago, Button announced he was leaving BAR and moving to Williams - a move which ended with the two teams fighting over Button's services in front of the Contract Recognition Board. Back then, BAR had won and Button had blamed the error on bad advise from his then management team.

"You could say that I've made mistakes and I think I have been poorly advised on the future," Button told Autosport. "But now I've got to make it right and choose the direction I need to go in my career. I've got to put me first.

"Obviously, Frank and I have always had a good relationship and Williams have achieved a lot in the past, and also Honda have been multiple World Champions. I've got a lot of respect for Frank and it's obviously a difficult situation. But he will understand I have to be with the best team possible.

"I've been in Formula One for six years now. I haven't had the equipment to win a race, so this is a very important decision for me. I have to be with the correct team and that is BAR Honda."

Read the full transcript of Jenson Button's interview with Autosport