http://www.vtec.net/news/news-...59001

The FIA Confirms that Jenson Button is contracted to race for Lucky Strike B.A.R Honda in next year's Formula 1 World Championship

B.A.R's position confirmed

10.August.04

The FIA Contract Recognition Board acknowledged, in writing, that, as of today, the B.A.R Contract with Jenson Button is the only valid contract registered for the 2005 season.

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 established in 1992 to regulate driver contracts and resolve priority disputes where a driver enters into a new contract with a Formula 1 team when a clearly established and registered contract is already in existence. The purpose of the CRB is to enforce driver contracts and provide a swift international resolution to conflicts which if channelled through national legal systems could be drawn-out and could result in a wholly inappropriate remedy for the innocent party and for the sport as a whole.

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.

B.A.R has willingly submitted itself to this process which is final and binding on all parties.

 

I DONT believe it!


Button will drive a Williams - Sam Michael August 10 05:13
Notwithstanding BAR's threatened legal challenge, Jenson Button will race a Williams next season, the team's technical director Sam Michael said Monday.




Michael, an Australian, insisted Williams is to be 'resolute' in defending a newly-signed contract with the highly rated English-born grand prix driver.

Asked if Button's drive is in doubt following the statements of BAR principal David Richards, Sam said: ''We have complete confidence he will be with us. ''A number of days ago we were informed by Jenson's legal team that the option was not taken up [by BAR] and he was available,'' Michael told BBC radio.

Indeed, sources concur that the prudent and notoriously cautious Sir Frank Williams would not have signed a contract without being sure of the deal. Sam Michael insisted Williams' opinion echoes that of Jenson Button's management and legal teams, ''so as far as we are concerned, the contract is valid.''

He also insisted Jenson and '05 team-mate Mark Webber will be considered equal number ones and are to receive 'identical equipment' from their Melbourne debut.

-0-


So no!~ YOur Vtec source isnt as good as F1i.com!

 

"The statement by BAR's press office says: "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.""
-Atlas F1 News Service

Brian

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Want2race &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

So no!~ YOur Vtec source isnt as good as F1i.com!</TD></TR></TABLE>

well they linked it directly from BAR's site!

http://www.barf1.com/home.php



This is definitely looking like it'll be a big soap opera

 

Mika and JB in '05 baby!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Ponyboy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Mika and JB in '05 baby!</TD></TR></TABLE>

I doubt it. I think this is just BAR wanting to be paid for losing Button to Williams. I would LOVE to see that line up though!!!!

 

I'm thoroughly confused.

 

It continues:

BMW Williams today hit out at BAR Honda's press release which stated that 'BAR Contract with Jenson Button is the only valid contract registered for the 2005 season.' BMW Williams claim that BAR's statement is misleading and that the Contract Recognition Board are simply confirming that they do have a contract lodged between Jenson Button and BAR.

The following is a Press Release from BMW Williams in which they state that Button also has a contract with BMW Williams for 2005.

"In relation to the statement issued by BAR, the BMW WilliamsF1 Team reiterate it is Jenson’s intention to drive for the team in 2005, and that his contractual position provides for this. The team would also like to clarify the following matters: -

The Contracts Recognition Board (CRB) is not a constituent element of the FIA, but an independent body set up under the Concorde Agreement between the Formula One teams, the commercial rights holder (FOM) & the FIA. It is therefore wholly incorrect to refer or indicate that the decisions made by the CRB are an endorsement of a legal position by the FIA.

BAR’s statement today is misleading. 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.

As a matter of record, WilliamsF1 has a contract with Jenson Button deposited with the CRB in October 22, 2002. Receipt of this deposit was also acknowledged by the CRB.

In the opinion of the BMW WilliamsF1 Team, BAR have failed in their responsibility to correctly exercise certain option clauses in their contract with Jenson Button, and as such, their contract has expired, and Williams’ contract is valid.

The CRB does not, in all cases, make final adjudication on contractual disputes, and may refer cases to the appropriate legal authorities.

The BMW WilliamsF1 Team has a commitment to correctly represent the outcome of this process to the media as and when a conclusion is reached."

E.A.
Source BMW Williams

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ITRbroham &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I'm thoroughly confused. </TD></TR></TABLE>

so am i.

i think we're just going to have to wait until the dust settles.

Now once BAR might decide they want to end their contract with JB after '04(somehow i doubt it but you never know).

Right now i'm sure there is a lot of stuff going on behind closed doors we dont know about. I posted this because apparently the FIA's official position is that JB stays put. However i suppose if all sides want out of the deal, they could accomodate that.

sigh

edit: after reading speedracer33's second post, i am now completely confused and i have no idea who to believe. i need aspirin.

 

There was a rumor floating around that Button's contract for 2004 had a bonus of x dollars per championship point. The only problem is that he is scoring a lot more points than anybody expected, and that Richards is behind on payments... That could all be a part of this as well.

 

id find this very hard to believe.

 

FIA upholds frontal diff ban on BAR cars. This is BS

 

wanna stay on topic there buddy?

 

Wouldn't it be great to be in Jense's position, with two relatively top teams cat fighting over you?

I can't even get the local 7-Eleven to enter into contract negotiations to sponsor my car.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by FormulaIntegra &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Wouldn't it be great to be in Jense's position, with two relatively top teams cat fighting over you?

I can't even get the local 7-Eleven to enter into contract negotiations to sponsor my car. </TD></TR></TABLE>
Let alone 7 eleven, YOU can't event pay for your racing stuff like most of us. Besides, how many international races have you got a podium position? I can't get to qualifying, yet.
Jokes appart, I don't like what JB said that he wanted to move to a team where he can become champion
I don't think Williams-BMW is a better team, nor they have a better car, at least this year, who knows next year. But whatever he, or the teams decide should be in the best interest of the sport, this what's all about.
Last, according to european laws, you can't force a person to work in a place where he/she doesn't want to, contract or not. Williams and BAR will come to some kind of financial solution together with their sponsors.
Next season is going to be interesting though.

 

It all depends on whether the word "intend to" means the same as "will". Honda said that they intend to supply BAR with engines for the following year, and Button's management is arguing that such a statement doesn't meet the terms of Button's contract.

 

id love to see those contracts....

i didnt even know an engine manufacturer had the option to deliver anything but competitive engines

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by NegativeLift &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">id love to see those contracts....

i didnt even know an engine manufacturer had the option to deliver anything but competitive engines</TD></TR></TABLE>

Someone tell that to McLaren!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Sean O’Gorman &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Someone tell that to McLaren!</TD></TR></TABLE>

You know, i honestly would NOT be surprised if some teams started putting clauses that if a certain number of engines fail (or something to that effect), the engine provider is liable to certain extra funding (if that isn't already the case!).

With all the money involved, i can imagine it (though there's no way it would be public).

 

Imagine the bumping and rubbing that would take place if these were boogidy stock cars.

Too bad If someone gives someone else a composite love tap one with of these cars, they will fold like oragomi.

 

I'm waiting for the first F1 driver to complain, "He stole my air!"

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by kablamo &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

You know, i honestly would NOT be surprised if some teams started putting clauses that if a certain number of engines fail (or something to that effect), the engine provider is liable to certain extra funding (if that isn't already the case!).

With all the money involved, i can imagine it (though there's no way it would be public).</TD></TR></TABLE>

Nah, not likely. Most of the top teams are either partially or entirely owned by the manufacturer supplying the engines.