Jenson Button set his sights on winning races and world championships with BAR on Wednesday after buying his way out of a contract with Williams. Williams said they had agreed to free the 25-year-old British Formula One driver from his obligations to them for 2006 and beyond. BAR meanwhile confirmed Button had signed a multi-year deal to stay with them.“As consideration for the release from the terms of his contract, Jenson has agreed a Financial settlement with Williams F1,” Williams said.No details were given but British newspapers have reported that Button would pay Williams between 10 and 20 million pounds ($18.08-$36.17 million) to get out of a deal he agreed last year.The Daily Telegraph put an 18 million price tag on the agreement. “I would like to thank Frank (Williams) for accommodating a compromise to what was a binding contract and I regret the difficulties my decision has caused everyone involved,” Button said in the Williams statement.“I’m obviously delighted to confirm that I will be staying with BAR Honda for the next few years,” he added in the separate BAR statement.“There are many more goals for us to achieve together, not least of all winning the world championship.“I want to be at BAR Honda to see that happen and I believe that it will happen.”Button had previously maintained that the Williams contract was not binding while the Oxfordshire-based team, who gave the driver his debut in 2000, had insisted that no amount of money would persuade them to let him go.“I am glad that we have brought this matter to a conclusion and we can return to what we do best — racing,” said Frank Williams, who must now find another driver to partner Australian Mark Webber. Brazilian Antonio Pizzonia, standing in for injured Nick Hiedfeld in this weekend’s Brazilian Grand Prix, will be one candidate but there has been increasing speculation that Nico Rosberg, son of former champion Keke, could get the job.
