JANUARY 31, 2000

Button signs for Williams

AS we exclusively predicted on January 1, BMW Williams F1 has signed up 20-year-old British racer Jenson Button to be Ralf Schumacher's partner this season.

AS we exclusively predicted on January 1, BMW Williams F1 has signed up 20-year-old British racer Jenson Button to be RalfÊSchumacher's partner this season. If all goes to plan Button will make his debut in Melbourne and will become the fifth youngest F1 driver of all time - equalling exactly Eddie Cheever's record of 20 years and 53 days. Button will be the youngest British F1 driver ever.

Team boss Sir Frank Williams admitted that signing Button was "a large gamble" but added that the team had "seen enough of him to know we won't be wasting our time. Given that what he has done already in the car is truly exceptional, it is probable that he will continue to get much better."

Williams added that Button's disadvantage is that he does not know the tracks and will need to do a lot of testing to build up his experience. "If he can get some points that would be the first step," Williams added. "That would be a big achievement."

Williams also announced its expected sponsorship deal with Compaq.