Button and Sato celebrate their performances

Jenson Button finished fourth in the Japanese Grand Prix with Takuma Sato sixth in his first race for a year.

The points lifted the Honda-powered team onto 26 points.

"To have this result at Honda's home track is fantastic. We have ambitious plans for next year and will be pushing hard when testing resumes in November," said Richards.

Button finished a creditable ninth in the drivers' standings with 17 points, tied with Jaguar driver Mark Webber.

"That was incredible. We came here fighting for two points and came away with eight," said the Briton.

"We really deserved this result and to finally secure fifth place in the championship is a great way for the team to finish the season."

Button also paid tribute to Sato, who replaced Jacques Villeneuve in the team earlier in the year.

The Japanese driver finished fifth at Suzuka in 2002 for Jordan before rejoining BAR as a test driver this season.

I was so excited going into the first corner Takuma Sato

"Takuma has been under a lot of pressure all weekend and he rose above it. This is great boost for all of us for the winter," said Button.

Sato was delighted to take three points after only being told he would race on Thursday after Villeneuve left the BAR team.

"Realistically, when you get notice within 24 hours, it is a big shock," said the 26-year-old, who was unveiled as Button's partner for 2004 last week.