Button confident of 2005 chances

BAR win Button contract dispute

Jenson Button says he can thrive with BAR in 2005 despite his bitter contract dispute with the Formula One team.

Button agreed to join Williams next season but was told he must stay with BAR by the contract recognition board.

"If you look at the last few weeks with a difficult situation in the team we have still been able to have some good results," said the Englishman.

"If we all stay focused for next season I think we can have a very good year. We can build on this for next year."

Button has claimed 10 podium finishes this season and stands third in the drivers' championship.

Largely as a result of this, BAR are second in the constructors' championship with only one race to go.

But the splendid season for both driver and team has been tarnished by the dispute over Button's contract.

Team boss David Richards and Button were involved in a public spat during the affair.

"I think we both said some things that neither of us liked," admitted Button.

"But I think that it's good to get it out in the open and we talk things over a lot more now. We are a lot more open with each other.

We are looking towards next year first - it's a very important year in my career Jenson Button

"It's been a very busy few months and it has been quite draining.

"I think at the circuit everyone's done a fantastic job but it's away from the circuit I was having to worry about.

"It's been very tough not just for myself but everyone involved.

"It's been a very busy few months. When I'm with my engineers and working it is one of the only times I have no-one harassing me and I can just do my job."

Button admitted he had been badly advised by his legal team during the affair.

"The only reason I thought about moving teams was because I didn't think the contract was valid for next year," he said.

"I think I was advised slightly incorrectly but it wasn't just one person it was a group of people - and the contract obviously does stand.

"We need to have a good relationship within the team and we need to move forward.

"We are looking towards next year first. It's a very important year in my career."

We have come out stronger as a result of this situation David Richards BAR team boss

Richards also said he was keen to put the affair behind him.

"There's no one I know who has a strong relationship who doesn't go through highs and lows," he said.

"Probably we have come out stronger as a result of this situation.

"We'll certainly be a lot more open and frank with each other than we ever have been before.

"I think the real measure is how the team performed, not just the last few races but since this all cropped up.

"Second in the championship and third for Jenson in the drivers' - I don't think we could have improved much on that."