06/08/2004
NEWS STORY
It is not entirely beyond the bounds of possibility that Jenson Button might join his new team even earlier than expected.
Following last night's shock announcement that the English youngster is to return to WilliamsF1, it appears that the relationship with his current employer has all but broken down.
It's understood that ever since Button's management first dropped the bombshell - that it had found and was exploiting a loophole in his contract - he has been unavailable to both BAR boss David Richards and technical director Geoff Willis, who have apparently been phoning him constantly.
The atmosphere at Brackley is not going to be good, with many clearly regarding Button as a traitor, a mercenary, and certainly not the best of climates for a working relationship.
In all honesty, with a legal battle in the air it's more than likely that Button will now undertake some 'gardening leave', which effectively means that Michael Schumacher has now wrapped up the 2005 title.
As an aside: What chance Jarno Trulli taking the BAR seat, surely a better move then Toyota.