BAR/Button contract acknowledged by CRB

In yet more news on the Jenson Button 'is-he-or-isn't-he' driving for Williams next year saga, BAR has released a statement saying the Contract Recognition Board has acknowledged that BAR's contract with Button for next year has been ...

In yet more news on the Jenson Button 'is-he-or-isn't-he' driving for Williams next year saga, BAR has released a statement saying the Contract Recognition Board has acknowledged that BAR's contract with Button for next year has been validly registered.

Jenson Button.

Photo by LAT Photographic.

"The FIA Contract Recognition Board acknowledged, in writing, that, as of today, the BAR Contract with Jenson Button is the only valid contract registered for the 2005 season," said the statement.

It went on to say that: "A driver's "super license" -- his right to drive in Formula 1 -- is only valid if his contract has been lodged with and registered by the CRB and all driver contracts contain a provision submitting all priority disputes to the CRB."

The CRB was founded in 1992 to regulate, and enforce, driver contracts and resolve disputes rather than the parties involved having to face a lengthy legal battle.

"All signatories to the Concorde Agreement are bound by the procedures of the CRB which requires any new driver contract to be registered 'forthwith' i.e. immediately, and without delay, in order to establish its validity," the statement concluded.

"BAR has willingly submitted itself to this process which is final and binding on all parties."

Williams has answered the statement with a press release of its own, saying that the CRB has not endorsed BAR's claim on Button, only acknowledged receipt. "BAR's statement today is misleading," said Williams. "BAR have registered what they believe to be a valid claim over Jenson Button for 2005."

"The CRB have not endorsed the validity of this claim, but have simply confirmed receipt of BAR's documentation. This does not mean that their contract is valid, or holds precedence over other contracts with Jenson Button."

Williams said it has a contract of its own with Button since 2002, which was also acknowledged by the CRB. The team holds fast to the opinion that BAR did not correctly excercise its option on Button for next year.