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Jenson Button Q&A

The past two weeks have been something of a whirlwind for Jenson Button. First, there was the disappointment of the British Grand Prix, when the hopes of a maiden podium finish went west. Then there was the shock of finding out the very next day that Renault would be dropping him for 2003. From there it was off to the Goodwood Festival of Speed, where behind-the-scenes negotiations began with British American Racing boss David Richards. And finally there was the French GP, the announcement of Fernando Alonso taking his drive and Jenson's own decision to sign on the dotted line with BAR. Button came away with his head held high from Magny-Cours, and with good reason. His sixth place added another point to his growing 2002 tally and once again he had put team-mate Jarno Trulli in the shade. On Monday he faced the press ready to look to the future as a BAR driver



"There are obviously a lot of reasons, one being David [Richards] and what he has done with the team in the last six months. It's a team that will keep on improving. There is a lot happening over the winter and it's more of a long-term thing. This is the team I think I will be world champion with."



"I wouldn't say gutted. I was slightly shocked when I heard the news. It's very difficult when you have had a very good season, it's been a positive year and the day after the British GP you are told your services are not required."



"No I don't think so. Myself and Jarno will have the same equipment. I won't be testing as much as he will be - in fact I probably won't be testing again! Maybe at Monza. But they will want me to get as many points as I can."



"I am looking forward to it. It's very exciting. Obviously it will be the first team-mate I will have had who has won the world championship."



"I don't know about that, but we get on well! We spoke at the weekend. He said he is looking forward to it."



"Yes. The reason why I am here is to win races and to compete against the top teams. Maybe not starting next season but in the future."



"I've got nothing in the next four years with Williams that is going to cause a problem."



"No, obviously we have had long talks with Frank [Williams] and that's the way it is now. There is not a contract [with Williams], no."



"Yeah, I knew who I would be driving for, but I hadn't signed anything. I only did that after the race. It was a good race. I didn't want to think about anything except driving as fast as I can."



"Yeah, it was a good race all round. But it was a very tough weekend, not just for myself but for my manager and on the PR side. It was very tough sorting out contracts and stuff like that. But sixth was a good way to finish it off."



"No not at all. It is not a gamble. It's a team that is going to improve definitely through the next few years, even next year the package is going to be a lot stronger. There are some very good people on board at the team, one being David and also Geoff Willis, the technical director. I worked with him at Williams and he is a very good guy who is obviously very good at his job. I don't exactly know what it is going to be like next year, but you have to go on trust and I have known David for a long time and what he has achieved in the past. From what I have heard it is very positive. It is a team that will be world champion in the future."



"I think so."



"Not at all. I have obviously had a lot to think about over the last few weeks. But the race weekends have not been a problem. It's half an hour each day when I think about it heavily when I am in interviews. Apart from that I just concentrate on working with the team I am with at the moment and getting the job done."

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