NOVEMBER 29, 2002

The ever-polite Mr Briatore...

Responding to the furore over Renault's refusal to let Jenson Button test before the end of the year, Renault F1 boss Flavio Briatore said that he had never been asked if Button could be released from his Renault contract in order to drive for British American Racing.

Responding to the furore over Renault's refusal to let Jenson Button test before the end of the year, Renault F1 boss Flavio Briatore said that he had never been asked if Button could be released from his Renault contract in order to drive for British American Racing.

"If David Richards had requested Jenson for testing duties I would probably have accepted as it was fair," he said.

In other words, all BAR now has to do is ask Renault (presumably saying "pretty please" as well) and the whole problem will (probably) be solved in a sweet and warm-hearted way.