SEPTEMBER 21, 2005

Button buys out Williams contract

Jenson Button is free to remain at BAR-Honda next season after buying his way out of the contract he made with Williams.

British driver Jenson Button is free to remain at BAR-Honda next season after buying his way out of the contract he made with Williams.

The 25-year-old signed a deal to switch to Williams for 2006 last year, the team with which he got his Formula 1 break in 2000, but in July this year Button decided he wanted to stay on at BAR.

A Williams team statement said, "As consideration for the release from the terms of his contract, Jenson has agreed a financial settlement with WilliamsF1." No details of the agreement have been made, but it is believed that the deal pays Williams an estimated $30m.