Webber Sorry Button Won't Join Williams

Button had agreed to join Williams, the team that gave him his Grand Prix debut, in 2006 after attempting and failing to move at the end of last year when BAR won a legal battle.

Since then, Williams have lost BMW as engine partners while Honda have bought 45 percent of BAR - a move that made Button determined to stay. On Wednesday, the Briton confirmed he had reached an agreement with Williams to remain at BAR.

Webber was sorry to hear the news.

"It's a real shame him (Button) not joining," said Webber. "It would have been great to have him here as a strong part of the team but his heart was not going to be here.

"I can understand the situation Jenson is in, in that he has got everything he wants down there and it's clearly a step he has taken because he doesn't want to come here any more.

"The only way to get around that is for compensation to happen. He is in a situation when he's got the speed, the results and the whole team working for him, he doesn't want to leave that now.

"It was only his decision as to how much he wants to compensate to stay there."

Webber, who had expected Button to join Williams for the start of this season, also praised his current teammate Nick Heidfeld, who took the seat destined for Button.

"I think Nick was very, very strong," Webber added. "He doesn't have the same profile as Jenson but he is very good.

"This time last year I was very excited about Jenson coming here. I spent a lot of time talking to Frank at Barcelona this year to make sure everything was going for Jenson to come here. There have been many knocks and this is just another one."

Following Button's announcement, Webber is yet to find out who will partner him next season.