Jenson Button, who is currently embroiled in yet another tug of war between BAR and WilliamsF1, has finally gone public and admitted that he does not want to return to the team which brought him into F1, but instead wishes to remain at Brackley, with the team he fought (desperately) to leave just twelve months ago.

Talking to British magazine, Autosport, the 25-year-old said of WilliamsF1 team boss, Frank Williams, who claims to have a watertight contract for the English driver's services in 2006: "I'll certainly be able to look him in the eye when I see him in the paddock.

"We have quite a lot of history together, going back to before 2000," he added, "so we need to be adult about it and understand the situation.

"I can understand Williams' situation," he continued, "but Frank has to understand mine as well. To be competitive next year, any team has to be with a manufacturer that is fully involved. The position has changed a lot with Williams from last year. A racing drivers' career is short, so you have to make the best you can of it."

In the summer of 2004, BAR and WilliamsF1 fought a long hard battle over Button, at that time it was WilliamsF1 that the driver sought to join, as he claimed it offered him the better chance of championship success. The matter didn't go to the law courts, where things would probably have gone in favour of WilliamsF1, instead it was decided by the Contract Recognition Board (CRB), which found in favour of BAR.

Since then however, much has changed within both teams; WilliamsF1 has lost its works deal with BMW, while Honda has bought a 45% stake in BAR.

"Honda buying in was a major part of me wanting to stay," admitted Button. "It shows how serious they are about winning the World Championship. This is a big decision for me. It's not simply that I am changing my mind from year-to-year."

That said, one has to wonder what Button would be doing now if, in 2004, the CRB had found in favour of williamsF1, and the Englishman was already there.