25/07/2005
NEWS STORY
It was just 12 months ago that the doo-doo hit the fan with regards Button-gate, a messy affair whereby the English driver's management thought it had discovered a loophole in his contract with British American Racing which would allow him to move back to WilliamsF1 for 2005.
Button was clearly delighted to be heading back to the team which had first brought him into Formula One, and which, armed with the 'magnificent' BMW, was destined for championship glory once again.
However, BAR was unwilling to let its prize asset go, and consequently the tug of war got very, very messy, ending up in the hands of the Contract Recognition Board (CRB).
Speaking on his own behalf, Button made it absolutely clear where he wanted to be in 2005, with WilliamsF1.
Throughout the summer we continuously heard a phrase in reference to BAR's desire to keep him: "What's the point in him being with a team he doesn't want to be with?"
When the CRB found in favour of BAR, the English driver accepted the decision, and despite the fact that he admitted that he would rather have moved back to grove, gave 100% to the Brackley outfit.
A year later, and BMW is going it alone, with WilliamsF1 almost certain to opt for the new Cosworth V8, even if it's a one-year deal.
Once again, even though WilliamsF1 has Button's contract for 2006, BAR is making waves, with Button not showing quite as much eagerness to make the switch as he did in 2004.
Sure enough, when asked at the weekend about the Englishman's future, BAR boss Nick Fry uttered that old familiar phrase: "What's the point in him being with a team he doesn't want to be with?"
How times change.
Over to you Jenson.