09/08/2004
NEWS STORY
Although Sunday's press release - issued by WilliamsF1 - which followed the meeting between Jenson Button and BAR's David Richards, suggested that the Brackley outfit accepted the English driver's move, and had effectively 'rolled over', this is not the case. BAR boss Richards has made it clear that he has not given up, far from it.
"There is absolutely no way I am going to back down on this matter," said Richards, according to The Guardian. "No way.
"The guy has a contract with our team," he continued. "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," he said, referring to the meeting with Button. "I wanted to point out that it was beholden on him to come and explain himself before, not after."
In Sunday's press release, Button's comments appeared self-assured, bordering on arrogant, he wants to make the move, and has every intention of making it.
Effectively, Richards could keep the youngster out of an F1 car not only for the remainder of this season, but also all of next, however he says he has no intention of stooping to such a level.
"We're not descending to this type of behaviour," he said. "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."