Button signs for Williams for 2005

Williams has officially announced that Jenson Button has signed for the team for 2005 and beyond, a move that will surprise many. It was a day for driver announcements on August 5th; Button's signing came hot on the heels of the morning's news that Toyota had dropped Cristiano da Matta in favour of Ricardo Zonta for the remainder of the season.

Jenson Button on the starting grid.

Photo by Brousseau Photo.

Button debuted in F1 with Williams in 2000 and has been with BAR since 2003. With the success of BAR this season it appeared that the Brit would be happy to stay with his current team. Mark Webber is already confirmed at Williams next year and there were many contenders for the other seat. The fact that Button is jumping ship to Williams for 2005 is somewhat unexpected.

"I am very pleased that I had the option to re-join the BMW WilliamsF1 Team where my Formula One career started," said Button in a press release from Williams. "For the meantime, the 2004 season has my full focus and attention."

"Beyond this, I have every confidence that the massive investment in resources and the depth of talent at WilliamsF1 and BMW provides the best platform for my future ambitions to be a World Champion."

Team boss Frank Williams commented: "There has been a long-term relationship between the BMW WilliamsF1 Team and Jenson, indeed his Formula One career started with the team in 2000."

"We have maintained that relationship until the present day, and I am delighted that one of the most talented drivers in Formula One has accepted the opportunity to return to the team."

Williams director of engineering Patrick Head and BMW motorsport director Mario Theissen also expressed their confidence in Button and believe that he will be a strong addition -- or perhaps re-addition -- to the team. There has yet to be any comment from BAR.