Friday 19th November 2004

BAR boss Dave Richards was shown the door after Honda bought a 45% stake in the team for around $150 million. Although he had guided Jenson Button to third in the drivers’ championship, it was his dispute with Button over a contract that many believe led to his departure to be replaced by Nick Fry. “”I am the one person who came out of that affair undamaged,” Richards said. “This was a mutual decision. It is the right time for Honda and the right time for me to move on. I am proud of what I and my team have done. In effect, we had a five-year plan to revitalise the team and that has been delivered in just three years.”