Blijft Button toch bij BAR?

[IVY440]

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BAR offer Honda engines to Williams to keep Button


By Phil Huff - July 12 2005

BAR are set to offer the struggling Williams team a supply of Honda engines, but only if the Grove outfit drop their claim on Jenson Button.

The deal offered will see Williams supplied with Honda engines for 2006 to the same specification as those bolted on to the back of the BAR 008. However, Williams, currently supplied with engines by BMW, will have to relinquish all rights to Jenson Button.

A Honda engine deal would be worth in the region of $15 million, but BAR are prepared to spend far more than that to keep hold of Jenson. On top of the costs and logistical problems of an extra engine supply, the team are also ready to offer Jenson a $50 million contract over the next five years, propelling the Englishman to the top three earners in the sport.

It's understood that Williams now have the option to take Jenson for 2006, regardless of what the driver himself wants. A deal to swap engines for the driver could appeal to Williams as, as BAR's Nick Fry points out, "we have a Honda engine and we have Honda as half owners of the company and Williams don't appear to have an engine at the moment."

Button has made no secret of his desire to be in a car capable of winning the championship, and declaring recently that he believes he's the best driver in Formula One.

"I 100% don't think they [the other drivers] are as good as me," said Button. "That's only my opinion, but it is my opinion. I am not worried about anyone in F1 when it comes to challenging them if we have got equal equipment.

"It is not an ambition of mine to drive for any team. If Ferrari are the sixth or seventh best team next year I have no reason to be with them. I want to be with the best team, whoever it is."

BAR Honda's team chief Nick Fry is confident that BAR Honda will offer Jenson the chance he requires. "Jenson is a bright lad and he is not looking at today, he is looking at overall the next five years," said Fry.

"Honda are a company that has won 11 World Championships. At the end of the day he knows they are completely determined to win. We will give him the best chance to be Formula One World Champion - there is no doubt."

Despite recently claiming to be unable to supply a second team for 2006, Honda Racing Development's Otmar Szafnauer confirmed that extra capacity was pout in place earlier in the year should the situation arise.

"At the beginning of the year, when we had [engine supply] discussions we put the capacity in, but there will come a time when that will pass us by for next year," explains Szafnauer. "I don't quite know when that is or whether we have passed it already. The more time goes on, the less likely it becomes."

It's anticipated that confirmation one way or another will not be forthcoming until August.

Mooie chantage van Honda. 
Er schiet niet veel meer over voor Williams als ze per se Button willen. Ford, nieuwe concurrent voor Minardi achteraan 

[Ferrari 2010]

Net gelezen op www.sportnetwork.net

BAR offer Honda engines to Williams to keep Button


By Phil Huff - July 12 2005

BAR are set to offer the struggling Williams team a supply of Honda engines, but only if the Grove outfit drop their claim on Jenson Button.

The deal offered will see Williams supplied with Honda engines for 2006 to the same specification as those bolted on to the back of the BAR 008. However, Williams, currently supplied with engines by BMW, will have to relinquish all rights to Jenson Button.

A Honda engine deal would be worth in the region of $15 million, but BAR are prepared to spend far more than that to keep hold of Jenson. On top of the costs and logistical problems of an extra engine supply, the team are also ready to offer Jenson a $50 million contract over the next five years, propelling the Englishman to the top three earners in the sport.

It's understood that Williams now have the option to take Jenson for 2006, regardless of what the driver himself wants. A deal to swap engines for the driver could appeal to Williams as, as BAR's Nick Fry points out, "we have a Honda engine and we have Honda as half owners of the company and Williams don't appear to have an engine at the moment."

Button has made no secret of his desire to be in a car capable of winning the championship, and declaring recently that he believes he's the best driver in Formula One.

"I 100% don't think they [the other drivers] are as good as me," said Button. "That's only my opinion, but it is my opinion. I am not worried about anyone in F1 when it comes to challenging them if we have got equal equipment.

"It is not an ambition of mine to drive for any team. If Ferrari are the sixth or seventh best team next year I have no reason to be with them. I want to be with the best team, whoever it is."

BAR Honda's team chief Nick Fry is confident that BAR Honda will offer Jenson the chance he requires. "Jenson is a bright lad and he is not looking at today, he is looking at overall the next five years," said Fry.

"Honda are a company that has won 11 World Championships. At the end of the day he knows they are completely determined to win. We will give him the best chance to be Formula One World Champion - there is no doubt."

Despite recently claiming to be unable to supply a second team for 2006, Honda Racing Development's Otmar Szafnauer confirmed that extra capacity was pout in place earlier in the year should the situation arise.

"At the beginning of the year, when we had [engine supply] discussions we put the capacity in, but there will come a time when that will pass us by for next year," explains Szafnauer. "I don't quite know when that is or whether we have passed it already. The more time goes on, the less likely it becomes."

It's anticipated that confirmation one way or another will not be forthcoming until August.

Mooie chantage van Honda. 
Er schiet niet veel meer over voor Williams als ze per se Button willen. Ford, nieuwe concurrent voor Minardi achteraan 

Inderdaad, nu is het kiezen, een goede rijder erbij of een goede motor. Beide zijn belangrijk, maar ze hebben al een goede rijder (Heidfeld) en Webber is uiteindelijk ook niet zo slecht. Dus, kunnen ze nu beter de motor pakken vindt ik.