August 2004 News
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6 August: The BAR Honda team have issued an ultimatum to Jenson Button to explain his actions by Monday night. A statement issued by the team read:

"B.A.R has issued an ultimatum to Jenson Button's management company, Essentially Sport, requiring them to arrange a face to face meeting between Button and B.A.R executives by close of business on Monday or face immediate action to enforce B.A.R's contract with Button.

"We have been trying to talk to Jenson for days," said David Richards, B.A.R Team Principal. "He has a clear duty to all of those who've worked with him for the last two years to explain to them what is going on."

"We have complete confidence in the strength of our contractual rights," said David Richards "and in the option that we have exercised for 2005." The option was approved at a board meeting of B.A.R on 20th July. Jenson and his management team were informed of this in writing well before the end of the option period on 31st July, a fact acknowledged by Essentially Sport. Notice of exercise of the option had also been lodged with F1's Contract Recognition Board in Switzerland.

"If people make commitments they should keep them - and I will use every means available to me to make sure that all the requirements of our contract are met," said Richards. "If we do not have a meeting with Jenson by Monday night to sort this out, the processes to enforce our rights under the contract will commence without further notice."

Meanwhile Jenson Button has indicated that he will 'clear the air' with BAR management prior to the Hungarian race but insists that his move to Williams is legal and will give him the best chance to become World Champion next year. He said "I will be having a meeting with BAR before Hungary, but it is not because Richards has asked, it's because we feel that it is time to clear the air.
You don't get to become world champion by taking the easy, most comfortable route. Sometimes, you need to take a ruthless decision. The team that is going to give me the best chance of winning the world championship next year is Williams.
I could stay at BAR and I would be happy - but this comes down to one question: do I want to win the world championship? The answer to that is it has been my ambition since I came to F1 - and I think I can do that with Williams.
I understand that the guys at BAR might find that a hard judgement, but I have fulfilled my contract, had some great times, and now I feel I have to move on to do what is best for me.
I have not betrayed the team but I know it will still not be easy walking into the BAR garage in Hungary this week but, hopefully, they will understand in time."

In another twist, it has emerged that former World Champion Mika Hakkinen is in serious discussions with the BAR team on a possible return to Formula 1. 
Hakkinen was quoted as saying "There is no smoke without fire. At this moment I don't want to comment more on the issue, especially as discussions around BAR are so hot."

Related Stories:

Contract Recognition Board validates BAR's contract with Button ... Full Story (20 October)
Contract Recognition Board delays decision on Button until the 16th of October ... Full Story (22 September)
BAR receive acknowledgement on Button's contract from the CRB and Williams counter! ... Full Story (10 August)
Button reaffirms his intentions to move to Williams following his meeting with Richards ... Full Story (8 August)
BAR issues Button deadline ... Full Story (6 August)
Jenson Button returns to Williams BMW in 2005 but BAR dispute the move ... Full Story (5 August)

Click here for the 2005 Formula 1 Team and Driver Line-up 

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