Despite yesterday's announcement that Jenson Button has a two year deal with BAR together with an option for a further two years, there seems to be confusion over the supposed long-term deal the youngster has with WilliamsF1.

As David Richards announced Jenson Button as BAR's only confirmed driver for 2003 yesterday, he said: "I know Frank reasonably well, and he is the last person in the world who would stand in the way of a British driver succeeding in Formula One. Frank has been more than accommodating in making everything happen, so there's nothing there at all, which is what I don't understand what the sort of excuses are that people are making. To my knowledge there is nothing there at all and Jenson's management has reassured me.

pitpass editor Chris Balfe attempted to clarify the issue with Jenson:

Asked if he could clear up the WilliamsF1 contract story, Jenson replied: "I'm free," before adding "well I'm not free because it doesn't exist anymore!

"I'm with BAR for the next four years,he continued. "Or two years with a two-year option. Frank doesn't want to stand in the way of my future which is good."

However pitpass wasn't totally satisfied with the answer: "Do Williams have any ties on you at all?" we asked.

"No," replied Jenson

"No ties for four years or no ties for good?," asked pitpass

"Four years." says Jenson smiling.

We also asked Jenson if he could shed light on recent reports in which it was claimed he had a contract that gave him the right to demand a seat with WilliamsF1.

"That's not exactly what I said," replied the twenty-two-year-old. "The problem is that I can't really talk about contracts. I would love to but I can't. It's a thing which is in the contract that says I can't!," and with that he started laughing.

In other words - he's free, but then again he's not, furthermore he has a contract which forbids him talking about his contracts.

Typical F1 really!