Button will 'pay to stay at BAR' and snub Williams

The two teams were embroiled in a legal wrangle last season over Button, which saw the Briton stay with BAR, but Button says he will stay with BAR because they are more likely to win the world title.

Button said: "I hope people will understand I want to be with the best team possible and that's BAR. The team is my best chance of becoming Britain's next world champion."

Williams say they have a prior contract with the 25-year-old for next season. The team principal Frank Williams said: "We expect him to arrive at Williams at the due period of time."

Button insisted he had "great respect" for Williams, who brought him to Formula One when he signed him for the 2000 season, but added: "I'll certainly be able to look him in the eye when I see him in the paddock. We have quite a lot of history together, going back to 2000, so we need to be adult about it and understand the situation.

"I can understand Williams' situation, but Frank has to understand mine as well. To be competitive next year, any team has to be with a manufacturer that is fully involved.

"The position has changed a lot with Williams from last year. A driver's career is short, so you have to make the best of it you can."

This latest row comes a year after Williams and BAR went to court in a dispute over Button's future. BAR won the battle last year, but Button split with his manager after the row.

Button added: "Mistakes were made last year but now I am more in control of my future. For me the best thing is to stay with BAR, not just in the short term.

"Honda buying in was a major part of me wanting to stay. It shows how serious they are about winning the world championship."