AUGUST 18, 2000
£30 million buy-out claims disregarded by Williams
BMW-WILLIAMS have disregarded claims from Jenson Button's manager David Robertson that team boss Frank Williams turned down £30 million to release the young Briton from his five-year contract.
Robertson said, in the wake of Button's loan move to Benetton, that he offered Williams £30 million (pounds) to discharge the 20-year-old and make him a free agent.
Williams Press Officer Silvia Frangipane said that Frank Williams was "not commenting on this speculation."
But Williams Media Manager Nav Sidhu followed up the team's disregard for the claim by hinting that even if it were true, the team would not comment on such matters.
Sidhu said: "We are not in the business of disclosing private and confidential information. Should you wish to speak to someone about this matter, speak to David Robertson, who, as we have seen from this morning's press, has no qualms about going public on such matters."