06/10/2004
NEWS STORY
Although there have been numerous reports that Takuma Sato has been retained by BAR for 2005, the Brackley outfit has yet to make an official announcement.
However, this morning, a BAR spokesperson told Pitpass: "We are pleased to confirm that Takuma will be with the team in 2005.
"He is currently in the second year of a three-year contract, therefore his race seat for 2005 is a natural continuation of that existing contract."
So that's it - it is official.
Now the team is awaiting the result of the Contract Recognition Board as to who will be his teammate. It's widely assumed that BAR will be found to have legal claim on Jenson Button, but that a 'behind the scenes' deal will see the Englishman go to WilliamsF1.