NEWS // BUTTON SIGNS WITH MCLAREN

In what can be best described as the worst kept secret of the last few days 2009 F1 champion Jenson Button has finally put pen to paper on a Mclaren contract.

The 29yr old has signed a multi year contract rumoured to be worth around 5 million a year. Button will partner 2008 champion Lewis Hamilton at the Woking team making history in the fact that it will be the first time two British F1 champions have been team-mates since 1968 when Lotus started the season with Jim Clark and Graham Hill... [read more]

Speaking about the deal Jenson said "It was not an easy decision but life is about challenges and above all challenging yourself".

With the 2nd seat at Mclaren now filled it looks likely that Kimi Raikonen will be left without a competitive drive for 2010, and with the Finn stating that he will quit F1 if he cannot secure a deal in a "Race Winning" car it looks increasing likely that the 2007 champion will not be on the grid next season.

Talking about the financial side of the deal Mclaren CEO Martin Whitmarsh provided an assurance that Button's move was not influenced by salary commenting "I want to make clear that Jenson's decision to join us was in no way motivated by money," he said. "We'll be paying him no more than he could be getting elsewhere, and that fact is a reflection of not only Jenson's belief in Vodafone McLaren Mercedes but also his desire and ambition to build on the phenomenal results he achieved during the 2009 season."

With Hamilton and Button having known each other since childhood when they competed in UK karting, Lewis is looking forward to linking up with Jenson and said "Although we'll be pushing each other hard, I'm sure we'll very quickly establish a great working relationship. He's an exceptional driver: very controlled and very smooth, and he has a real depth of knowledge and experience. I think we'll complement each other very well, and our collaboration will make the team stronger as a result."

Reaction to the Englishman's decision came from amongst others Sir Jackie Stewart who had urged Button stick with Brawn rather than move to McLaren.

"If I was Jenson, I would stay with Brawn," Stewart told UK's Guardian newspaper earlier this week. "He knows the team, he is comfortable there and Ross Brawn's reputation is outstanding.

"Going to McLaren will mean putting his head into the tiger's den with Hamilton already established there. That would be a huge challenge. I think he is in the best position where he is."

Photo: Brawn GP
Editorial: Neil Tozer