BAR deny making offer for Button

Button 'wants to stay with BAR'

BAR team boss Nick Fry has denied offering Williams a 'driver-plus-cash' deal in a bid to keep Jenson Button next season.

Several British newspapers reported that the team had offered test driver Anthony Davidson plus a significant cash sum to Williams.

But Fry said: "No offer has been made and there have been no discussions.

"I've read a number of stories which have suggested a deal is being put together. That is not the case."

BAR hope to persuade Button to sign a new deal, but a clause in the 25-year-old's contract gives Williams first option on the Englishman in 2006.

There is no suggestion to date from Williams that they want to do a deal BAR team boss Nick Fry

However, Williams have been forced to seek a new engine partner after BMW's decision to buy Sauber, meaning Button could opt to stay with BAR.

The papers suggested BAR would pay Davidson's salary for two years.

Although BAR may be happy to discuss an offer, Fry insisted: "There is no suggestion to date from Williams that they want to do a deal."

BAR have already claimed Button wants to stay at the Honda-powered team next season rather than move to Williams.

But team owner Frank Williams said at the weekend: "We have an existing contract for Jenson for 2006, and we expect him to arrive at Williams at the due period of time."

Button has refused to comment on the situation and Fry said BAR did not know the details of his contract.

"The contract which allegedly exists is between his (Button's) company and Williams," he said.

"We haven't seen the contract and nor do we have any knowledge of what is in it, barring the apocryphal."