BAR offer Honda engines to Williams to keep Button

BAR are set to offer the struggling Williams team a supply of Honda engines, but only if the Grove outfit drop their claim on Jenson Button.

The deal offered will see Williams supplied with Honda engines for 2006 to the same specification as those bolted on to the back of the BAR 008. However, Williams, currently supplied with engines by BMW, will have to relinquish all rights to Jenson Button.

A Honda engine deal would be worth in the region of $15 million, but BAR are prepared to spend far more than that to keep hold of Jenson. On top of the costs and logistical problems of an extra engine supply, the team are also ready to offer Jenson a $50 million contract over the next five years, propelling the Englishman to the top three earners in the sport.