Talking in a teleconference this afternoon, David Richards insisted that the ending of the "consultancy contract" between BAR and Prodive, and his subsequent departure from the team, was a mutual decision.

"We have delivered a five-year plan in three years. My job has been done. It's been well done," the Englishman told reporters.

Asked if might return to F1 at a later stage in his career, Richard diplomatically replied: "I've learned that in Formula One, you never say never."

Despite the excellent job that Richards has done for the Brackley outfit, there is widespread belief that there was serious concern, especially within the boardroom at Honda, over the way he handled the Jenson Button saga.

Button's management used a loophole in the English driver's contract, citing Honda's commitment to BAR, to begin a process that almost saw the youngster joining the team that gave him his F1 debut, WilliamsF1.

Ironically, Richards believes that today's announcement that Honda has bought a 45% stake in the team could lead to Button reconsidering his 2006 move to Grove.

"I think that is quite probable," he said. "But it's a question you have to ask Jenson and I think when he sees the performance of the car next year and the team he will realise there are great foundations here and a great team of people to go forward with, but that's something he has to address and I don't suppose he'll be making that decision in the short-term, I think he'll wait to see how next year pans out."

Asked if it was the 'Buttongate' issue that soured his relationship with Honda, Richards said: "I think I was the one person who was undamaged by it quite frankly, I'd rather it never happened but I came out as cleanly as one would expect."