BUTTON UP FOR RESCUE.

Byline: By BYRON YOUNG

SHOCKED Jenson Button yesterday pledged to lead Honda's 26-day fight for survival.

The British driver, who turned down mid-season approaches from BMW, Renault and Red Bull, flew to England to bolster morale among 698 staff at the team's factory in Brackley after the news from Japan that the company was quitting F1.

Bosses Nick Fry and Ross Brawn, who have until the end of the month to find a buyer, said yesterday there had been three "credible" approaches, all foreign.

Button described it as "kill or cure" for the UK operation.

"It's either going to make us stronger or break us," he said "We have to remain positive as a team. If we don't who will buy us?

"It came as much of a shock to me as everyone else and the first couple of hours were the most painful. But after that I thought, 'What's the point of being down?' I've been in the situation before of potentially facing the next season without a drive and got through it."

Honda boss Takeo Fukui cited the global recession for the decision. "It's a real shame and I feel deeply sorry for Jenson Button," he said. "We had no choice."

Button's only real alternative is if Red Bull racer Mark Webber fails to recover from a broken leg before March. Fry is already in talks to use Ferrari engines next season.

He added: "Clearly Jenson is an asset. We also have Ross, who I regard as absolutely the best designer in the business.

"Over the last couple of years Honda have spent pounds 50m on the facilities. For someone who wants an F1 team we're undoubtedly the buy of the century."

FIA president Max Mosley warned other manufacturers could also quit unless costs are cut.

CAPTION(S):

MORALE BOOSTER Button called in to see Honda staff; SORRY Boss Takeo Fukui