Button’s $36m escape

Jenson Button's reported escape from his 2006 Williams contract may have cost as much as $36 million. An official announcement is due as early as Tuesday or Wednesday, but no party was giving any hints on Monday night.

''I simply can't comment on this matter at the present time,'' 25-year-old Button's manager Richard Goddard told the British 'Guardian' newspaper.

Sir Frank's loss will not only be BAR-Honda's gain, but should help to cover the cost of Williams' customer Cosworth engines next year and the departure of title sponsor HP.

It is further speculated that BAR and Honda will help JB foot the multi-million dollar bill by offering an advance payment on a reported multiple year, $80m new contract. The news leaves Button to team up with Rubens Barrichello next year, a seat vacant at Williams, and Takuma Sato out in the F1 cold.