No Problems with BAR, Says Button
Jenson Button's relationship with his BAR-Honda team has not been affected by his decision to join Williams next season, the British driver said on Thursday.
Jenson Button's relationship with his BAR-Honda team has not been affected by his decision to join Williams next season, the British driver said on Thursday.
Button met up with his BAR team at the Hungaroring for the first time since publicly announcing last week that he plans to walk out at the end of the season to re-join Williams.
BAR have contested the move, saying they have a firm contract with Button for 2005, while Williams believe they will have the Englishman in their line-up next year courtesy of activating a technicality in his current contract.
Button did not give any details about the contractual wranglings in a news conference at the Hungarian Grand Prix but said he had not had any problems since arriving in Hungary.
"The atmosphere is okay, it's fine. We are all here to do a job," said Button, who made his Formula One debut with Williams in 2000 before moving to Benetton-Renault and then BAR. "There is a good atmosphere in the garage. We are here to race, and we are here to hopefully get our best result this year."
Pole Position
BAR have helped Button to third in the Drivers' Championship this season. He has scored 61 points and claimed his first pole position in the San Marino Grand Prix in April.
Williams have named Australian Mark Webber as one of the successors to Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya and German Ralf Schumacher, who are both leaving at the end of the year, and expect Button to complete their line-up.
While refusing to confirm that he would be joining Williams in a news conference dominated by "no comment" responses, Button praised prospective new teammate Webber.
"He really works hard which is fantastic to see. He puts in a lot of effort in every area and I think he would be a big bonus to any team in Formula One," Button said of the current Jaguar driver.
Button is optimistic of building on his most impressive result when he finished second behind Michael Schumacher in the German Grand Prix, the last race before a three-week summer break, after starting 13th on the grid.
He believes the tight and twisty Hungaroring circuit should suit BAR, with that elusive maiden Grand Prix victory his ultimate goal.
"I think we have got a good car here, we should be able to get a good result, everyone is pretty excited about the weekend," he added. "I don't think we are going to get any less positive. As soon as we get on to the circuit, we are in a position to challenge for a victory here."
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