BUTTON RETURNS TO WILLIAMS.(Competition)

BAR-Honda's Jenson Button will join Mark Webber at BMW WilliamsF1 for 2005, returning to the team where he began his Grand Prix career in 2000. Button, 24, left Williams after one season to make way for Juan Pablo Montoya, who moves to McLaren for 2005. Button's two-year deal shocked Formula One insiders and angered BAR-Honda team principal David Richards.

"We intend to enforce our contract with Jenson. This is ridiculous and we will challenge it. I am dumbfounded,'' said Richards.

Button, who sits third in this year's drivers' standings, said: "I am very pleased that I had the option to rejoin Williams. For the meantime, the season has my full focus and attention. Beyond this, I have every confidence that the massive investment in resources and the depth of talent at WilliamsF1 and BMW provides the best platform for my future ambition to be world champion.''

Perhaps somewhat guardedly, Sir Frank Williams commented: "There has been a long-term relationship between the BMW WilliamsF1 team and Jenson, indeed his Formula One career started with the team in 2000. We have maintained that relationship until the present day and I am delighted that one of the most talented drivers in Formula One has accepted the opportunity to return.''

MC12 to race

Maserati's controversial MC12 supercar has been given the green light to compete in this year's FIA GT Championship.

The Ferrari Enzo-based car had been denied the necessary homologation to compete, but now the organizers have gained the unanimous support of the participating teams in the series to allow the MC12 to run. The Maserati will have to run with a smaller rear wing and will also be subject to weight penalties and power restrictions. It will not be eligible for points.