Williams: A contract is a contract
By Phil Huff July 30 2005
Frank Williams is certain where Jenson Button will be in 2006, and it's not BAR Honda, reminding the driver that he is looking forward to a British team with a British driver.
Frank Williams is certain where Jenson Button will be in 2006, and it's not BAR Honda, reminding the driver that he is looking forward to a British team with a British driver.
"A deal is a deal. A contract is a contract. I must explain that to Jenson," said Frank Williams. "I have always believed that a signature on a contract is basically underlining a man's word given in honour.
""Williams has a fully-binding, straightforward contract," he added. "There is no let-out. It is clear to understand. Jenson is emphatically, in capital letters, not for sale. We are a serious racing team and we need him. We require him to be here."
It is understood that a number of Williams' sponsorship plans for next year revolve around the highly marketable Button.
"There needs to be a clearer understanding of the word commitment," continues Williams. "Once you give your word, you should keep it. If I say to Jenson 'Oh, okay no problem, off you go' then over the next few years it will probably start a way of thinking for drivers that 'I've changed my mind, I won't bother now, I'm not coming'. You can't have this. You have got to have law and order everywhere, especially in Formula One.
"We will defend our interests."
During last seasons Buttongate debacle, where Jenson was trying everything to go to Williams rather than BAR Honda, the driver stayed remarkebly quiet. A year later, with BAR Honda now the favoured team, the Jenson has spoken at length about the situation.
"I have a contract with Williams for 2006," confirms Jenson. "Whether that is binding or not remains to be seen. I can understand his situation, but he has to understand mine as well. And I want to be with BAR Honda.
"It's not simply that I am changing my mind from year-to-year."
Williams is unconvinced, saying that "a third party has chosen to use the press to strengthen Jenson's case, but the whole situation is much more profound than that.
"We fully expect him to arrive at Williams at the due period of time.
"There is nothing that will change that."
""Williams has a fully-binding, straightforward contract," he added. "There is no let-out. It is clear to understand. Jenson is emphatically, in capital letters, not for sale. We are a serious racing team and we need him. We require him to be here."
It is understood that a number of Williams' sponsorship plans for next year revolve around the highly marketable Button.
"There needs to be a clearer understanding of the word commitment," continues Williams. "Once you give your word, you should keep it. If I say to Jenson 'Oh, okay no problem, off you go' then over the next few years it will probably start a way of thinking for drivers that 'I've changed my mind, I won't bother now, I'm not coming'. You can't have this. You have got to have law and order everywhere, especially in Formula One.
"We will defend our interests."
During last seasons Buttongate debacle, where Jenson was trying everything to go to Williams rather than BAR Honda, the driver stayed remarkebly quiet. A year later, with BAR Honda now the favoured team, the Jenson has spoken at length about the situation.
"I have a contract with Williams for 2006," confirms Jenson. "Whether that is binding or not remains to be seen. I can understand his situation, but he has to understand mine as well. And I want to be with BAR Honda.
"It's not simply that I am changing my mind from year-to-year."
Williams is unconvinced, saying that "a third party has chosen to use the press to strengthen Jenson's case, but the whole situation is much more profound than that.
"We fully expect him to arrive at Williams at the due period of time.
"There is nothing that will change that."
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