Honda adds comment to Button saga

Honda has added its voice to the ongoing BAR/Jenson Button/Williams saga to refute claims that it hadn't committed to supply engines to BAR. Reportedly Button's management believe there is some doubt over Honda and BAR's future partnership and used that as a reason for Button to escape his contract with BAR.

Jenson Button.

Photo by Brousseau Photo.

Honda Racing vice president Otmar Szafnauer said there is no question over the manufacturer continuing to supply engines to the team. "We were shocked and surprised," Szafnauer said, according to The Telegraph.

"We thought he (Button) would be racing for BAR next season. We gave Jenson's management all the reassurance they had asked for. When we asked if the answers provided were what he was looking for, they answered yes."

"We were aware that other teams were showing interest in Jenson. That was only natural. We told him that we were committed to providing engines for BAR and no other team. And they said that was what they wanted to hear. Two weeks later, on July 23, we announced the new deal with the team."

Honda believed the guarantee of the engine deal would form a solid basis for the future. "We respect Jenson for his talent," said Szafnauer. "We have a great relationship with him. That is why we thought we had a basis from which to go forward."

The current situation between Button and BAR appears to be a stand off. Button insists he will be joining Williams next year and BAR boss David Richards is equally insistent that Jenson is already under contract to BAR for 2005. Unless an agreement is forthcoming, it appears legal action will be the decider.