22/08/2005
NEWS STORY
There can be no doubt that copy-writers in Britain were praying that either Jenson Button or Takuma Sato might pull off a dramatic victory at Istanbul Park on Sunday, thus allowing them to run 'Fry's Turkish Delight' as their headline.
Alas, it was not to be, and the Brackley team had to settle for fifth and ninth.
Now Fry must turn his attention not merely to Monza and the remainder of the 2005 World Championship season, but also the 'little matter' as to who will partner Rubens Barrichello in 2006.
Although Fry has said that he doesn't want BAR to get involved in the negotiations, preferring Jenson Button and Frank Williams to sort out the English driver's contract for next season, he is fully aware that both he and his team are involved
Previously, it was reported that BAR-Honda was considering offering WilliamsF1 a compensation package for Button's contract - involving cash and the (temporary) services of Anthony Davidson - but this was later denied.
However, according to The Guardian, Fry has now admitted that this is being considered: "If Williams came to us and wanted to do a deal then we are open to discussion," he said. "The final details have to be sorted between Williams and Jenson, but if it helps, and Williams want to involve us, then we are all open to help the situation.
"It is up to them to make a suggestion," he added. "I think he is worth a lot to both teams. We wouldn't be squabbling over him if he were not, but his value is impossible to quantify."
However, he insists that neither BAR or Honda will get actively involved in the talks between Button and Williams: "We will deliberately not get involved because we are not party to either contract," he said.
"We will give Jenson moral and emotional support and we have made it clear that we want him to drive for us and we will hang on and wait until the situation is resolved."
The story coming out of WilliamsF1 however is that no matter how much money is put on the table, Frank Williams is determined to hold the English driver to the contract he signed.