Motor Racing: Bernie's backing Button

JENSON BUTTON looks set to remain at BAR-Honda. Frank Williams has been urged to give up his quest to put the 25-year-old in a Williams next season - and sign a Grand Prix rookie star instead.

As Fernando Alonso's title showdown with Kimi Raikkonen kicks off in today's Belgian Grand Prix, the most powerful man in F1 has thrown his influence behind Britain's top racer staying at BAR.

Bernie Ecclestone believes the former champions would do better to sign rising star Nico Rosberg, son of former champion Keke Rosberg.

"We need new blood in Formula One," said Ecclestone. "I have told Frank he should sign Nico Rosberg and stop chasing a driver who doesn't want to be at Williams."

The news that he has Bernie's backing comes as a massive boost to Button's chances of remaining at BAR. Although talks over his future are now cloaked in secrecy Williams is believed to be willing to consider relinquishing his contractual hold on the man he brought into Formula One in 2000.

And it now appears it is only a matter of time - and money - before a deal is done.

After a public war of words between the two sides last month Button has been up to the Oxfordshire factory for face-to-face talks and the signs are that he will get his wish to stay with BAR-Honda.

"We have talked and I think that it is going in the right direction," he said. "We both need to get this cleared up as soon as possible so we can concentrate on next season."

But canny Williams is not short of options and talks could linger a few weeks yet. He has a long-term contract with Webber and options on Antonio Pizzonia and Nick Heidfeld.

The Brazilian is standing in for Heidfeld in Belgium today, after the German was sidelined by the side effects of a testing accident.

Even though he has recognised racers on his books Williams is giving serious thought to promoting Rosberg. He and the billionaire businessman have been friends for many years and Ecclestone's word carries considerable weight.

It was Ecclestone who advised Williams to sign Jacques Villeneuve from America and two years later he was champion.

But all eyes today are on Alonso and Raikkonen. The Renault racer has a 27-point lead and if he can land four more points than the Finn, the title is his.

THE GRID

1 Juan Pablo Montoya, McLaren 1:46.391

2 Kimi Raikkonen, McLaren 1:46.440

3 Giancarlo Fisichella, Renault 1:46.497

4 Jarno Trulli, Toyota 1:46.596

5 Fernando Alonso, Renault 1:46.760

6 Ralf Schumacher, Toyota 1:47.401

7 Michael Schumacher, Ferrari 1:47.476

8 Felipe Massa, Sauber 1:47.867

9 Jenson Button, BAR 1:47.978

10 Mark Webber, Williams 1:48.071

11 Takuma Sato, BAR 1:48.353

12 David Coulthard, Red Bull 1:48.508

13 Rubens Barrichello, Ferrari 1:48.550

14 Jacques Villeneuve, Sauber 1:48.889

15 Antonio Pizzonia, Williams 1:48.898

16 Christian Klien, Red Bull 1:48.994

17 Robert Doornbos, Minardi 1:49.779

18 Christijan Albers, Minardi 1:49.842

19 Tiago Monteiro, Jordan 1:51.498

20 Narain Karthikeyan, Jordan 1:51.675

DRIVERS' CHAMP

1 F.Alonso, Renault 103

2 K.Raikkonen, McLaren 76

3 M.Schumacher, Ferrari 55

4 J.P.Montoya, McLaren 50

5 J.Trulli, Toyota 43

6 G.Fisichella, Renault 41

7 R.Schumacher, Toyota 35

8 R.Barrichello, Ferrari 31

9 N.Heidfeld, Williams 28

10 M.Webber, Williams 24

J.Button, BAR 24

12 D.Coulthard, Red Bull 21

13 F.Massa, Sauber 8

14 T.Monteiro, Jordan 6

A.Wurz, McLaren 6

J.Villeneuve, Sauber 6

17 N.Karthikeyan, Jordan 5

C.Klien, Red Bull 5

19 C.Albers, Minardi 4

P.de la Rosa, McLaren 4

21 P.Friesacher, Minardi 3

22 A.Pizzonia, Williams 2

23 V.Liuzzi, Red Bull 1

T.Sato, BAR 1

25 R.Doornbos, Jordan 0

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