Press Snoop: Buttons, contracts and options.

the latest news from around the world, courtesy of press snoop Lynne Huntting

The world of motorsports has a lot of interest this week in JENSON BUTTON and the continuing saga of 'Button, Button, Who's Got The Button?'. The players include Button, BAR Honda and BMW Williams Formula One teams, Honda and the FIA Contracts Recognition Board. At question are options and loopholes, all regarding Button, and whether or not his existing BAR contract is valid or not. He is managed by JOHN BYFIELD, and the Essentially Sports management company, who are thought to have tried to exploit a loophole in Button's contract which required Honda to confirm its continued engine supply to BAR by a certain date.

And if there isn't enough of that story to follow, there's also the BAR appeal of the FIA disallowing of its front-wheel torque transfer device, which was heard by the International Court of Appeal.

BAR released the news Tuesday morning that the FIA CRB ruled against Button's moving to the Williams team in 2005.

BAR said "The FIA Contracts Recognition Board acknowledged, in writing, that as of today, the BAR Contract with Jenson Button is the only valid contract registered for the 2005 season.

"A driver's 'super-license' - his right to drive in Formula One, is only valid if his contract has been lodged with and registered by the CRB and all driver contracts contain a provision submitting all priority disputes to the CRB.

"The CRB was established in 1992 to regulate driver contracts and resolve priority disputes where a driver enters into a new contract with a Formula One team when a clearly established and registered contract is already in existence. The purpose of the CRB is to enforce driver contracts and provide a swift international resolution to conflicts which if channelled through national legal systems could be drawn-out and could result in a wholly inappropriate remedy for the innocent party and for the sport as a whole.

"All signatories to the Concorde Agreement are bound by the procedures of the CRB which requires any new driver contract to be registered 'forthwith' - ie immediately and without delay - in order to establish its validity.

"BAR has willingly submitted itself to the process which is final and binding on all parties."

The Williams team issued its comments Tuesday morning. "In relation to the statement issued by BAR, the BMW WilliamsF1 Team reiterate it is Jenson's intention to drive for the team in 2005, and that his contractual position provides for this. The team would also like to clarify the following matters.

"The Contracts Recognition Board (CRB) is not a constituent element of the FIA, but an independent body set up under the Concorde Agreement between the Formula One teams, the commercial rights holder (FOM) and the FIA. It is therefore wholly incorrect to refer or indicate that the decisions made by the CRB are an endorsement of a legal position by the FIA.

"BAR's statement today is misleading. BAR have registered what they believe to be a valid claim over Jenson Button for 2005. The CRB have not endorsed the validity of this claim, but have simply confirmed receipt of BAR's documentation.

"This does not mean that their contract is valid, or holds precedence over other contracts with Jenson Button.

"As a matter of record, WilliamsF1 has a contract with Jenson Button deposited with the CRB in 22 October 2002. Receipt of this deposit was also acknowledged by the CRB.

"In the opinion of the BMW WilliamsF1 team, BAR have failed in their responsibility to correctly exercise certain option clauses in their contract with Jenson Button, and as such, their contract has expired, and Williams' contract is valid.

"The CRB does not, in all cases, make final adjudication on contractual disputes, and may refer cases to the appropriate legal authorities.

"The BMW WilliamsF1 team has a commitment to correctly represent the outcome of this process to the media as and when a conclusion is reached."

The Contract Recognitions Board is a panel of attorneys who receive all Formula One contracts, in sealed form. The paper work is kept on filed and sealed, and isn't open until there is a dispute.

Honda put in its two cents worth. Honda Racing's Vice President OTMAR SZAFNAUER said "We are shocked and surprised. We thought he [Button] would be racing for BAR next season. We gave Jenson's management all the reassurances they had asked for. When we asked if the answers provided were what he was looking for, they answered yes.

"We were aware that other teams were showing interest in Jenson. That was only natural. We told him that we were committed to providing engines for BAR and no other team. And they said that was what they wanted to hear. Two weeks later, on 23 July, we announced the new deal with the team.

"We respect Jenson for his talent. We have a great relationship with him. That is why we thought we had a basis from which to go forward."

Szafnauer referred to the BAR/Honda contract. He reportedly admitted that the new BAR contract has a weasel clause, which would permit Honda to 'break-away' from the contract should the new F1 rules not to Honda's liking. He was referring to the proposed rules being discussed by FIA and all of the F1 teams. - currently being discussed between the teams and FIA

What it appears to boil down to is that there is a BAR contract on file with the CRB, which BAR says CRB said is valid; and which Williams says may be on file with the CRB, but not necessarily valid just because it is on file. The validity issue revolves around the Honda performance clause. We haven't heard the last of this matter, which may only be resolved after a CRB hearing.

We do know, however, the outcome of the BAR/FIA appeal. BAR lost the appeal.

BAR disagreed with FIA banning the use of its "electro hydraulic software controlled device which connects the front wheels via drive shafts and allows controlled torque transfer from a faster wheel to a slower wheel even under braking." BAR had run it three weeks ago at the German Grand Prix in Hockenheim - during the Friday test session on the T car.

BAR, which is based in England, had the Appeal filed by Motor Sports Association, the National Sporting Authority for the UK.

The hearing was open to the media, with proper accreditation.

The Court was presided over by MR. PHILLIPPE ROBERTI de WINGHE of Belgium, and composed of MR. XAVIER CONESA of Spain, MR. JOSE MACEDO e CUNHA of Portugal, and MR. JAN SLOVICEK of the Czech Republic. They reviewed the device, examined documents and other evidence and made its ruling Monday after a hearing in Paris on Monday. The Court upheld FIA's decision to ban the use of the device. No doubt the other F1 teams are pleased. If you can't join them, beat them.

BAR and Williams aren't the only teams with Personnel issues. Toyota recently cut its staff the easy way - it fired them. Toyota had already replaced F1 driver, CRISTIANO da MATTA of Brazil, and replaced him last week with Toyota test driver, RICARDO ZONTA, also of Brazil. Toyota cited da Matta's poor performance. The diminutive driver had been with the team since the start of the 2003 season; and in 28 races, his best results were three sixth-place finishes, two of them last year.

But the axe didn't stop there. Team manager ANGE PASQUALI and operations director, NORBERT KREYER, wee summarily fired this week, to "remove duplication of job functions".

Toyota team principal, TSUTOMU TOMITA said "We acknowledge that the action may be seen as severe, particularly in view of the significant contribution made by both Ange Pasquali and Norbert Kreyer, not only to the current F1 programme, but also to the World Rally and Le Mans Projects. However, the duplication of function and responsibility created by this previously complex organisation and the need to establish a simpler and more effective organisational structure, which is acutely focused on achieving our ambitious goals, has led us to make and implement this difficult decision."

RICHARD CREGAN, current Toyota general manager F1 operations will replace Pasquali. DIETER GLASS, the chief race engineer, is now in charge of the race and test operations, and will report directly to MIKE GASCOYNE, technical director chassis. LOIC DAVID is now in charge of the consolidated research and development division, and he will report to chief designer, GUSTAV BRUNNER. Got all that? There will be a test at the end.

CART drivers (the series is now known as Champ Car World Series) have an inconsistent history when moving up to Formula One. The last driver before da Matta to make the move was ALEX ZANARDI, who only lasted one season with Williams, before he returned to CART. Zanardi subsequently had a bad crash at the German CART race and lost both legs. He went through rehabilitation, has artificial legs, and is now racing sports cars in Europe in a specially-designed car with hand controls.

American driver MICHAEL ANDRETTI lasted only half a season with McLaren before returning to CART. He has since moved to the Indy Racing League to run his own four-car team, and has retired from driving.

CART drivers who made a successful transition include JACQUES VILLENEUVE, went on to become F1 world champion while racing with Williams, before he moved on to form his own team - BAR. And we know how that went. JV was let go at the end of last season and has been without a ride ever since.

JUAN PABLO MONTOYA, another CART champion, also went to Williams and has had three victories in four years. He moves to McLaren in 2005.