Jaguar Boss: Button Handled Williams Deal Wrongly
Jenson Button's handling of contract talks with Williams were wrong, Formula One team bosses said on Friday.
Jenson Button's handling of contract talks with Williams were wrong, Formula One team bosses said on Friday.
BAR driver Button has said he had signed to drive for Williams next season. BAR, however, said they have a contract with the 24-year-old for 2005.
The wrangling between BAR and Button are a far cry from the negotiations held between Jaguar's Mark Webber and Williams this year, which resulted in an early release from the Australian's contract to make the move next year.
"I don't think the messages from the Jenson Button affair are quite what Formula One wants," Jaguar's team principal Tony Purnell told a news conference. "It is bad news for Formula One. We would like a cleaner image. It is a very unfortunate way to change teams.
"We are sad to see (Mark) Webber go but I think he has handled it beautifully. We have known the situation with Mark for many months and that proves you can do it quite sweetly and ethically if you like."
The International Automobile Federation's (FIA) Contract Recognition Board (CRB), an independent body based in Switzerland, are to decide on Button's future.
Team boss Eddie Jordan said news of Button's decision had surprised him, but he refused to take sides.
"It is hard to understand how, having just had your best race ever, you would announce a couple of days later that you are going to another team that may not be quite competitive as the one you are in," Jordan said.
"To do that, something needs to either have been brewing or the guy has lost his marbles, and I very much doubt Jenson has lost his marbles. But it's none of our business."
Button is third in the Drivers' Championship with 61 points while BAR are third in the constructors' race.
Stoddart Believes Radical Steps are Good for F1
Stoddart Believes Radical Steps are Good for F1 Stoddart Believes Radical Steps are Good for F1
Barrichello Quickest in First Qualifying - Brazilian GP
Barrichello Quickest in First Qualifying - Brazilian GP Barrichello Quickest in First Qualifying - Brazilian GP
Saturday First Free Practice - Brazilian GP
Saturday First Free Practice - Brazilian GP Saturday First Free Practice - Brazilian GP
Button praises Verstappen F1 quality that cancels weak team-mate argument
Button praises Verstappen F1 quality that cancels weak team-mate argument Button praises Verstappen F1 quality that cancels weak team-mate argument
Button set to race Fangio’s personal Jaguar at Goodwood
Button set to race Fangio’s personal Jaguar at Goodwood Button set to race Fangio’s personal Jaguar at Goodwood
How NASCAR is aiming to thrill on its Le Mans return
How NASCAR is aiming to thrill on its Le Mans return How NASCAR is aiming to thrill on its Le Mans return
Sargeant handed penalty for third car rules breach ahead of F1 Japanese GP
Sargeant handed penalty for third car rules breach ahead of F1 Japanese GP Sargeant handed penalty for third car rules breach ahead of F1 Japanese GP
Brown "sympathetic" to Williams F1 but warns against CapEx spending spree
Brown "sympathetic" to Williams F1 but warns against CapEx spending spree Brown "sympathetic" to Williams F1 but warns against CapEx spending spree
How Monza shows Albon's transformation to fearsome F1 battler
How Monza shows Albon's transformation to fearsome F1 battler How Monza shows Albon's transformation to fearsome F1 battler
Norris: McLaren "not miles away" from Verstappen after F1 Japanese GP double podium
Norris: McLaren "not miles away" from Verstappen after F1 Japanese GP double podium Norris: McLaren "not miles away" from Verstappen after F1 Japanese GP double podium
2023 F1 Japanese GP results: Max Verstappen wins
2023 F1 Japanese GP results: Max Verstappen wins 2023 F1 Japanese GP results: Max Verstappen wins
F1 Japanese GP: Verstappen cruises to victory, Red Bull ties up constructors' crown
F1 Japanese GP: Verstappen cruises to victory, Red Bull ties up constructors' crown F1 Japanese GP: Verstappen cruises to victory, Red Bull ties up constructors' crown
Sargeant handed penalty for third car rules breach ahead of F1 Japanese GP
Sargeant handed penalty for third car rules breach ahead of F1 Japanese GP Sargeant handed penalty for third car rules breach ahead of F1 Japanese GP
How Tsunoda has eliminated a crucial F1 limitation
How Tsunoda has eliminated a crucial F1 limitation How Tsunoda has eliminated a crucial F1 limitation
How McLaren has revamped its F1 team to become a contender again
How McLaren has revamped its F1 team to become a contender again How McLaren has revamped its F1 team to become a contender again
Why precedent doesn’t favour Massa’s F1 legal challenge
Why precedent doesn’t favour Massa’s F1 legal challenge Why precedent doesn’t favour Massa’s F1 legal challenge
Why Sainz’s Singapore F1 success was not just about DRS genius
Why Sainz’s Singapore F1 success was not just about DRS genius Why Sainz’s Singapore F1 success was not just about DRS genius
The signs that suggest an immediate Red Bull resurgence in F1's Japanese GP
The signs that suggest an immediate Red Bull resurgence in F1's Japanese GP The signs that suggest an immediate Red Bull resurgence in F1's Japanese GP
The lessons Russell can take from his "two-centimetre" Singapore F1 mistake
The lessons Russell can take from his "two-centimetre" Singapore F1 mistake The lessons Russell can take from his "two-centimetre" Singapore F1 mistake
Singapore Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
Singapore Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023 Singapore Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
The Singapore secrets that helped Sainz end Verstappen's F1 winning streak
The Singapore secrets that helped Sainz end Verstappen's F1 winning streak The Singapore secrets that helped Sainz end Verstappen's F1 winning streak
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.