Button Ready To Talk With BAR

Jenson Button will return to his BAR-Honda team's factory before next weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix to explain his decision to move to Williams in 2005.

Williams announced the British driver would join them on a two year contract on Thursday but BAR continue to dispute the controversial move and say they had already taken an option on Button's services for the coming seasons.

BAR-Honda team principal David Richards demanded on Friday that Button, who has been holidaying in the Mediterranean, face the team before Monday evening to explain his actions.

In an interview with ITN news on Saturday, Button said: "I will be having a meeting with BAR before the Hungarian Grand Prix but it is not because he (Richards) has asked; it is because we feel it is time to clear the air.

"It has been a rather busy few days but most of it has been down to my manager and I have been relaxing in Sardinia."

Button, who is third in the Formula One world championship with seven podiums this year, has ignored calls from the BAR team since Williams announced the move to line him up alongside Australian Mark Webber in 2005.

BAR said they had approved taking up their option on Button at a board meeting on July 20 and that Button's management team had acknowledged the decision after being informed in writing before the July 31 deadline.

Notice of exercise of the option had also been lodged with the Formula One contract recognition board in Switzerland and Richards remains determined to fight the move.

He has, however, promised to hold off taking the matter to his lawyers until Button has spoken to him and the staff at the team's Brackley headquarters.

Button said: "It is a decision that was very difficult. It probably was the most difficult and emotional decision you have to make as a driver but you have to think about number one and you have to be ruthless.

"You have to choose your own direction and keep your career moving. It is another step for me next year. (The rest of the 2004 season) is not going to be the perfect atmosphere but I am going to be giving 100 percent."