Honda have said they are willing to release Jenson Button from the multi-year contract he recently signed for the team.
Japanese manufacturer holding talks to "undo" contract
Jenson Button may find himself on the starting grid for next season's opening race in Melbourne with a new team after Honda said they were willing to release him from his contract.
The Briton is facing an uncertain future in Formula One after Honda announced on Friday that they are pulling out of the sport due to the global financial crisis.
Button has been with the Brackley-based outfit since 2003 and Honda only recently revealed that they reached an agreement with the 28-year-old for a new multi-year deal.
However, following Friday's announcement that they have withdrawn with immediate effect, Honda chairman and CEO Takeo Fukui said they are willing to renegotiate his contract.
"We had a deal with Button and we are going to restart the talks to undo that contract," he said.
Situation
Team principal Ross Brawn said he would "understand" should Button decide to leave Honda F1, who are currently looking for new owners.
"We will have to discuss his situation, now and ongoing. If Jenson gets an opportunity I am sure we will sit down and see what the situation here is and what the opportunity he has got," he told
autosport.com.
"Given that he is part of the team, I don't think he will rush off and make that decision without discussing it with us.
"We will keep an open dialogue. If we can keep him here we will be delighted but we also understand that it is very difficult for an F1 driver to miss a season - unlike engineers."
Meanwhile,
The Guardian has reported that the only team yet to confirm their 2009 driver line-up, Toro Rosso, could invite Button to test with them at Jerez next week.
