Button announcement imminent?

It's strongly rumoured, although not confirmed, that Jenson Button will stay at BAR next season after coming to an agreement with Williams. Just about this time last year, Button tried to get out of his contract with BAR in order to race with Williams in 2005. The Contract Recognition Board (CRB) ruled in favour of BAR and Button had to stay.

Button abided by the ruling but stated he wished to return to Williams in the future. However, for some months now the situation has been reversed, with Button wanting to stay with BAR for 2006, despite the fact that Williams apparently owns his contract.

Button was swayed by Honda taking a stake in BAR, which confirmed the engine manufacturer's commitment. In the mean time, Williams lost engine partner BMW and will effectively be a privateer team next season with a Cosworth engine supply.

It's speculated that Williams has now sold Button his contract, with all manner of ridiculous sums being bandied about, in order for him to remain with BAR. If true, this would mean Button will be teammate to the already-confirmed Rubens Barrichello at BAR, with Takuma Sato being shown the door.

For the moment nobody involved is willing to make any official comment but an announcement is reportedly expected in the near future. Current Williams driver Nick Heidfeld has already confirmed he will move to the new BMW team next season, which leaves a seat to be filled next to Mark Webber.

Many names have been mentioned in connection with Williams, if indeed the Button rumours prove to be correct. Renault's Giancarlo Fisichella has been linked with Williams but the team's test drivers, Antonio Pizzonia and Nico Rosberg, are also on the list.