Frank says ‘no’ to $22m deal

Jenson Button's attempt to stay at BAR next season has reportedly taken a grim knock.

Britain's 'Mirror' tabloid claims that Sir Frank Williams, with Button's signature on a cast-iron 2006 contract, has turned down a Honda-funded $22m buyout offer.

The daily newspaper claims that $22 million would have been the 'biggest price tag ever put on a British driver'.

BAR boss Nick Fry, though, appeared undeterred when he reported that 'lots of dialogue' between the 25-year-old's management and Grove based Williams rattles on.

He told PA Sport: ''If there is dialogue there is hope but there is nothing concrete at the moment.

''From our point of view we'll just sit and wait. Jenson is the one we'd like to have in the car and we've said we'll wait until the end of the season or beyond if necessary.''