10/07/2005
NEWS STORY
All publicity is good publicity, and Jenson Button - and his management - will be well aware of that.
On Saturday a rumour swept the paddock suggesting that Jenson Button has signed a £20m, deal to join Ferrari in 2006.
The story was broken by The Daily Mirror, a British tabloid not known for its incisive F1 coverage.
Furthermore, the story came on the day that the newspaper carried an interview with Bernie Ecclestone, a man who also appreciates the value of publicity.
Asked about Button and Ferrari, Bernie said: "Button needs to be in a team that can get behind him, then he would be in a position to deliver.
"He needs the kind of discipline he would get at Ferrari," he added. "Michael Schumacher is wholly dedicated seven days a week. He will win a race by five laps and the next day he will test. If Jenson was at Ferrari, he would have to do that whether he liked it or not. It would be good for him."
It's widely thought that Bernie was the source of the Button exclusive, and it certainly came as news to WilliamsF1, which is known to have first call on his services in 2006, assuming Button doesn't score the 46 points (minimum) from 4 races that would keep him at BAR.
However, speaking at yesterday's post-qualifying press conference, Button opted to keep the story going, refusing to give anything away.
"Yeah, I read that this morning as well. A nice piece!" laughed the Englishman. "I can't say anything on my future next year, I'm just living in the moment which is pretty good."
Asked to deny the rumour, he said: "I won't, but I cannot talk about my future next year. That's it. I am not going to say yes or no."