By Phil Huff
May 16 2005

The rumour refuses to disappear, despite having no obvious basis in reality. Do you think David Richards will be returning to BAR Honda? Certainly British tabloid The People do, who have reported that a deal is all but done. The reported move is seen by the newspaper as a last ditch attempt to keep hold of Jenson Button as the team face the enormous task of scoring enough points to tie the driver to BAR Honda.

"This is fantastic news for the team and a sure sign they are sparing no effort to make BAR the most professional team on the grid," an 'insider' told the paper. "With Richards' wealth of experience we can look forward to a calming influence that will get the results we need to keep Button in the team."

We no doubt don't need to remind you that Jenson Button made attempts to leave BAR last year following contractual difficulties with the team. The blame was squarely laid on Richards' shoulders, with Jenson admitting that the relationship between the two was never more than team boss and driver.

David Richards was removed from his role at the top of BAR when Honda purchased a 45% stake in the team, cancelling Prodrive's contract in the process. Prodrive, the company founded and run by Richards, continues to perform well outside of F1, while Richards retains the commercial rights to the World Rally Championship.

One reason cited for the cancellation of the contract was Richards' split loyalties, working with the WRC and Honda's direct Japanese rival Subaru. An attack on GT racing with Aston Martin, and Australian V8 Touring Cars, also diverts attention. Honda paid a rumoured $15 million to clear Prodrive and Richards from the team.

The only conceivable way for Richards to return would be for him to leave the company he works so hard for, selling his entire share in the process. Given the company, which generates a turnover of £125 million, is hugely successful, we'd suggest that he's unlikely to do that.

We spoke to a significant member of the BAR Honda team about the possibility of exactly that happening and were met with nothing but sustained laughter.

We should say that stranger things have happened, but we can't think of any.