Button Row to be Settled in Three Weeks

Jenson Button will be told at the end of September whether he can move to Williams-BMW after the prolonged saga over his controversial switch from BAR-Honda took a step towards completion on Monday.

Button's move was left in jeopardy after BAR claimed they had a contract for the Briton to continue with them beyond the end of this season while Williams refused to reveal their claimed deal with the Contract Recognition Board (CRB).

But Williams announced on Monday that they have finally handed the details to the CRB and confirmed the fight for Button's services will now go ahead within the next two to three weeks.

"It took a while for us to lodge the contract with the CRB because there were quite a lot of background discussions with the parties involved to try and find a private solution," said a Williams spokesman.

"That was not possible so we should now get a hearing date within two or three weeks and then it will take two or three days to have the hearing. I think both sides are confident but it needs clarity and this is the right process."

Button, 24, made his Formula One debut with Williams in 2000 and is keen to return to the Grove-based team after being dropped at the end of that year to make way for Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya.

After two disappointing years at Renault his career was saved by BAR boss David Richards, who signed him last year and has seen him grow into a team leader alongside Japan's Takuma Sato this season.

He claimed his first Formula One podium in Malaysia this year and is currently third in the Drivers' Championship with 65 points after a further six podium finishes with the rapidly improving BAR team.

Williams have had a difficult season but Button claims he decided to join them because their long-term history proves they can overcome their problems and fight for the World Championship next year.

The deal was done under a cloud of controversy after Williams took advantage of a clause in Button's contract with BAR but they have promised not to contest the decision of the CRB whichever way it goes.

"The first step is for the CRB to decide whether it falls within their mandate," said the Williams spokesman. "If they say they are comfortable to hear it then we are comfortable for their decision to be binding."

Button will race for BAR in this weekend's Italian Grand Prix and is likely to hear the decision on his future as he works on public relations appearances for the team between the Chinese and Japanese Grands Prix.