Talking to Richard Williams of The Guardian, Jenson Button has 'opened up' over the saga that dominated much of the summer, when, without warning, it was revealed that the English youngster was to leave BAR for WilliamsF1 in 2005.
The Brackley team, which had an option on him for another year, had helped him to the strongest season of his F1 career, taking a string of podiums and finishing a convincing third in the drivers' championship.
Much has been said, and written, of the saga, but until now Button has remained quiet.
"I think all the people involved made mistakes along the way," he said. Adding; "Yes, I did make some mistakes.
"In my reasoning for moving I don't think I made a mistake," he continued, "but in not talking to David myself, I was misguided. I've never been in this situation before, I don't know the legal side of things, so I just had to listen to what people had to say. I did that, and I thought it was the correct thing to do, but obviously it wasn't.
"Since then, I've learnt more about the legal side of formula one over the past few months than I have in the whole of my career. It's been very tiring. And the only way that I can get peace and quiet is actually driving the car. That's the only time I can relax. But it's been great to get everything sorted out and to have it all on the table. I'm staying with BAR next year and now that the decision has been made I'm actually very happy."
BusinessF1 recently reported that there were certain factions within the team that wanted Button out, as soon as the late-Summer bombshell was dropped. Ironically, once all the smoke had cleared, it was team boss David Richards who departed.
Referring to the atmosphere within the team, then and now, Button says: "The atmosphere is still very good, even after me deciding I wanted to leave. Obviously a few people weren't happy with the way it was handled, which was probably correct, but a lot of people understood the reasons for it. Everyone's been very professional and I think they've done a fantastic job this season.
"Honda having a stake in the team is the best thing for BAR," he added. "It's huge for everyone working here. It makes us very excited about the coming years."
Referring to Richards, who a reliable, and high profile, source has told Pitpass, "wanted to own Button", the Englishman is extremely diplomatic: "I think he's been a good team principal," he says". "That's it."
Referring to the 'contractual requirements' that gave his management cause to believe that a loophole existed, and thereby an exit that would lead straight to Grove, Button says: '"I didn't think that Honda were going to be involved with BAR," he said. "That was my understanding. It wasn't a very comfortable position to be in, not knowing what was going to happen. And where would BAR be without Honda? It made my future, I thought, unclear. Looking at it now, with Honda buying 45% of the team, it's a great position to be in. But I didn't know that then."
It was WilliamsF1 that gave Button his F1 'break', even though he was 'replaced' by Juan Pablo Montoya after one year. Button is very protective of his relationship with his former employers.
"We had a great relationship," he said. "Being a new boy, I was allowed to get away with a few things and with making a few mistakes. But when the results were good, the atmosphere was fantastic between Frank and Patrick and myself. Frank decided early in the season that he wanted to be with Juan. I knew that immediately. He'd agreed a deal with him, so that was it. But we wanted to work together again in the future, and I kept in contact. We'd speak quite a few times throughout the year, either on the phone or at the circuit. Frank gave me a huge opportunity in Formula one, and I'm not going to turn my back on him."
