Richards Not Letting Button Go, this Year or Next

BAR principal David Richards says he will not back down in the battle to retain Jenson Button as the team's driver next season, after the British driver met with Richards yesterday and made it clear he plans to move to Williams in 2005.

Button and Richards met yesterday after several days of no communication between the two, as Button was on vacation in Sardinia. After the meeting, Button's management, Essentially Sport, issued a statement where Button said he is adamant on moving to Williams and that he believes the matter has now been clarified with Richards as well.

But Richards has not changed his line following the meeting, and the team chief insists Button has a valid contract with the team for 2005, which he should honour.

"There is absolutely no way I am going to back down on this matter, no way." Richards told The Guardian. "The guy has a contract with our team. We are talking here about a point of integrity. You can't just welch out of your commitments. I've also had letters of support from several other team principals saying they support my position and said that this sort of behaviour just has to be stopped.

"Today was an opportunity to have a sensible dialogue with Jenson. I wanted to point out that it was beholden on him to come and explain himself before [he signed for Williams], not after."

Richards also rebuffed speculations that Button will be replaced for the remaining Grands Prix of 2004. "We're not descending to this type of behaviour," he told the newspaper. "Jenson has a contract with us to the end of the year. The point of difference between us is whether or not he is committed for next year as well."