Autosport magazine that came out today reported that Mercedes offered Button a poor deal in order to drive him away from the team and avoid the bad press of giving him the sack. Its says despite some quotes to the contray the team intends to run a German lineup with a "strong German core" in order to keep support at the board level.

Also.. when a driver goes to a rival team it has been common to stop them from joining early in order to limit any advantage gained. Jenson could for example go there and say.. "Hey, this is how this bit on the Brawn worked" and have it on the Mclaren in time for the season start.

let me give it a twist.. hmm ok . here it goes

blablabla... there were some contractual obligations on button not to visit MTC or talk with them blablabla... and because of that Brawn takes legal action, ContractRecognitionBoard(CRB - RINGS SOME BELLS? ) and the result is the same, Button's McLaren contract is null and void. McLaren approaches Kimi again and they resolve the issues before.

Button takes his sorry ass back to papa-Brawn and dady-Fry and Uncle-Haug.

oh well ... quoting is not allowed

Maybe that's the problem? If Button (or rather his manager) has been drilling Brawn for more money when actually the important issue is something else entirely, I can see why they'd be annoyed.

Maybe McLaren only took Button up because Kimi pulled out? If that's the case, Button may have been wanting the Mac seat for a long time now but using cash as an excuse to not sign up until Kimi's fate (as Mclaren's #1 target) was settled.

I reckon nobody realistically expected Kimi to drop out, just hoped he would.

That was Richards,this is Brawn.I think they'll just let it pass and not make a fuss about it..

The true colours of Brawn are starting to show.

You really believe Button had been angling for the McLaren seat all this time while he had an good offer from Brawn?

Why McLaren? he really loves to have Lewis as teammate? It doesn't make sense.

I think what happened with Raikkenon's negotiation was the Robertsons were too confident that McLaren would eventually give in to their demands as other teams announce their lineups. McLaren got sick of the impasses and looked for alternatives. Raikkenon didn't "pull out", they probably only realized it's all over when Button was announced.

Fry does seem to be doing a lot of blustering. We don't know Button's side of the story so it's hard to judge any accuracy.

That said Fry doesn't have the best of reputations does he when it comes to getting people to sign on the dotted line (attracting sponsors etc). Maybe he's aware of that and doesn't want to be seen as having potentially dropped the ball again.

I wonder how much advantage a driver gets these days by being released early from his previous team. With the lack of winter testing till February I guess at least Button won't be losing out on actual track-time. That said he'll probably lose potential simulator time and time that could be used to start getting to know the team. Overall I'd say he probably will lose out through not being released, but not as much as he might have been if the testing ban wasn't in place.

Of course there is the extra aspect to this that Mercedes will have a fair bit of knowledge of how the McLaren works that they might now be able to go and suggest to the Brawn engineers, and if they can maximise any delay for similar information going back the other way then it is to their benefit.

Fry/Brawn are doing themsleves no favours with the whinging now its to late.

They would come out of this better if they just got on with the job of finding a relacement.

I'm sure a certain Finn will be pleased to sign for £12m or so a year.

I don't think he is going to suffer much by not been released early seeing there is no testing and for simulation, it can be arranged to be done offsite to some extent.
Mercedes have left Mclaren only to find themselves in bed with a brawl room contestant in the guise of Mr. Fry. He said it wasn't money, I remember him saying something about not spending money like drunken sailors just days ago.

The guy seems not to be very rational, maybe we are seeing pointers to some of the reasons Honda was a failure.

How much he is getting from Ferrari to just eat ice cream and go rallying occasionally?

true colours? because he wants the contract run until the end?
I would love to see how you comment on jenson's true colours after his other contract saga....

Nick Fry can sod right off with his accusations that Jenson isn't loyal.

Who was there, year after year, race after race pedalling a shitwagon under Fry's mismanagment?

Who was there all winter, turning down calls from Renault and Toro Rosso that would have guaranteed his future in F1 in favour of waiting to see if there was any chance of Honda surviving? Who was there at the factory on the day it all went down, plegding his allegence to those men working hard at the factory?

Nick Fry is a classless individual for trying to pull a stunt like this. Jenson is absolutely right to get out of there if this is how they thank him for what he's contributed over the past seven years.

I am amazed how much support JB is garnering in this thread. Lets not forget that this is not a Senna-Prost or any other classic rivalry. Jenson has won one race outside of his seven race blitzkreig at the beginning of this season. Looking at his overall stats:

First seven races of 2009: 6 wins from 7 (Win percentage = 85.7%)
Rest of career: 1 win from 163 (Win percentage = 0.00613%)

In Hamilton's rookie year, he had the two-time reigning world champion Fernando Alonso in the adjacent garage and managed to equal him. If the second best driver of the decade (2. Alonso, 1. The Scarlet Assassin) cannot beat Hamilton, what chance does Jenson have.

In my opinion, this season showed that Hamilton possesses all the qualities of a Number One driver, developping a "dog of a car" into a car which yielded him the most points in the second half of the season. Meanwhile, JB lucked into a beast of a car two years in the making, benefitted from Rubens' set-ups and just bested his team mate who is in the autumn of his career.

Finally, as far as the rule changes are concerned, it is much easier to tame an over aggressive driver than to force a calm driver to drive aggressively.

My predictions:
Qualification: LH 13 - 6 JB
Races: LH 14 - 5 JB

Nick Fry is taking it personally. His baby has learned to walk.

Button has gone up in my book because of this.

I think it shows he isnt a coward. I dont think its the money.

Who wouldnt jump at the chance at driving for Mclaren. After Ferrari they are the team to be in. I bet he took one look at that trophy room in Woking and saw all the great names and thought hell yeah I'll be part of this.

Hes brave at going up against Lewis and tbh I think lewis will beat him.....but you never know. Whats Jenson got to lose. He is a World Champion anyway.

Yep, because Lewis was driving a competitive car when he joined MAC and was nurtured by the team. Where did this LH developing a dog of a car into a winning one come from?
Of course you didn't watch the races, because Button was clearly the faster. Stop throwing in arbitrary stats to fit your agenda.

Fry has said that Button didn't have any obligations to Brawn for 2010. It makes me think that if there was a contract in place, Button had an option whether to take it up or not, and he decided not to for whatever reason.

Nice maths

It is Buttons choice to go to McLaren. Who cares if its a challenge/mistake/beginning of the end/whatever.

Hes got the WDC now - he hasnt really got anything to lose other than the chance to beat Hamilton and rub his critics noses in it.

His choice, his life.

Deary me!

So Button has won only 1 race in his F1 career in cars not capable of winning the Championship?

Alonso has won 1 race (Renault 2008) in a car not capable of winning the Championship (excluding Singapore obviously).

So, Button and Alonso have exactly the same statistics of only winning 1 race in non Championship winning cars. Its irrelevant how many races they have raced in non championship winning cars, because if Alonso or Button has had 500 races in a rubbish car it would merely up the percentage of races not won, through no fault of their own.

It makes no sense if you believe Button can't beat Hamilton. Button believes he can beat Hamilton.

Even if you don't believe it you have to respect it.

Maybe they'll try a triathlon together now?

Actually, considering the rest of your post, this seems generous. What will Hamilton have done wrong in those 5 races to let Jenson beat him?

It's not a dig at Button. I like drivers who have supreme self belief.

Even if he believes he can beat anyone in F1, it's still wiser to stay at Brawn and I don't think he's dumb.

Rosberg is easier to beat, Brawn can make a good car too, he knows the team well. What does McLaren offer that Brawn can't offer?

If you're sayin he left Brawn because driving for McLaren is some childhood dream, I think it's disloyal.

I heard Fry is getting the blame from Mercedes for allowing Button to slip out. He was ultimately in charge of negotiations from their side and he and Mercedes have been made to look foolish.

Hahaha, Merc have only owned the team for a few days and one of the senior, share owning directors is in seriously bad books with the majority stakeholder.

I'm fasinated to see what sort of a farse this team turns out to be.

I wonder if there is indeed a bottomless pit of money to sign Kimi now, that is the only way Mercedes and Fry can come out of this looking like it was the plan all along. (Though admitantly with Fry's public hissy fit, it clearly wasn't).

I'm not saying you're having a dig because I agree - Button has made an error joining McLaren. I'm just saying that our point of view is only valid if you make assumptions about their relative performance. Button makes no such assumptions and knows in his heart that he can beat Hamilton. Time will tell whether that's deluded or not.

There is not the case. Mercedes is not looking to spend alot of money. That's why some people from Daimler are not that happy that Mercedes broke ranks with Mclaren and bought a new team.

I'm pretty sure Mercedes was counting on Button to drive next year under Brawn and Fry. Mclaren did a fantastic job by giving Mercedes a big f*ck you by stealing Button away. The current WDC = good PR and marketing and that's what Mercedes is missing now.

It's just not the same with having Heidfeld and Nico or Kimi and Nico with #3 and #4 on the car or having the current world champion with #1 and #2 on the cars. I"m sure Mercedes are regretting the move already now

I gave other reasons why it's better to stay at Brawn beside the teammate factor. what do you say about those?
If the only reason he's going to McLaren, even for less money, is just for the chance of beating Hamilton, well good on him. But I don't think that's why people drive in F1. You want to win WDC and make lots of money. Brawn seem to be capable of offering both.
have you ever considered the possibility that he's let go? His team just changed ownership, it's not too far fetched.
If Brawn wasn't bought out by Mercedes, I could imagine he's concerned about Brawn's limited resources, and McLaren would seem a better prospect, but with Mercedes backing, I can't think of a very good reason to for him to leave.

Even with the relatively unlimited funds of Honda the team made back-of-the-grid cars which didn't improve while McLaren has clawed its way back to 3rd this year with a car which didn't make it past Q3 for much of the year.

That fact alone will make Button think McLaren is the right place to be.

I don't think there is anything about the Brawn team which says next year they will definitely keep the momentum going. There is Ross Brawn of course, which may make all the difference, but McLaren improved this year without Ron Dennis and won a championship since losing Adrian Newey, so something about the management structure works.

i think nick shot himself in te foot as button called his bluff. Nick thought jenson have no option but join and he be to scared to join Mclaren who seemed like Kimi was 100% cert. bad mistake by Nick and i think merc didn't want him anyway so JB did the best he could

How quickly situation changes regarding his relationship with the men he was hugging just a few weeks ago. I wonder what's on his mind thinking that he gets in Mclaren, and would not have at Brawn?

If that's the case, great. As a McLaren fan, it makes my heart glow to know someone has insider knowledge of Brawn thinks McLaren will be stronger next season.

But if what you said is true, I think he's been an ass in his negotiation with Brawn, dragging it for so long, then leaving them to find out he's signed for McLaren through the press.

i just cannot believe what Jenson did. No matter whatever the press/media says now, we'll never really know what were the exact REAL reasons.

Isn't it sad that a team many of us supported through thick and thin whilst being run as a corporate mess by Honda now seems to be going back to its old ways thanks to that self satisfied arrogant prat Nick Fry. I can't believe that Ross Brawn really supports what Fry's done. They had huge support and goodwill and with a single stroke Fry has ruined it all. Well so far as I'm concerned that's it they can all stuff off I'm looking forward to Mercedes being well and truly beaten by Jensen and Lewis, it will be huge fun I reckon.

A faster car.

Although I have more believe in Mercedes next year than Jenson apparently has, he simply believes (along with the vast majority on this board), that McLaren will be the faster car throughout next year.
But who am I?

I'm sure both Brawn and Withmarsh told him about the expected laptime improvement next year and he wet his pants when he haerd the McLaren figure.

Maybe in another thread but I gave my theory for this. I think Button wanted McLaren all along, but the Kimi negotiations were in the way. The minute Kimi announced his sabbatical, Button leapt. The chat about money with Brawn was just a way for Button to hold out and not sign on the dotted line until Mac was definitely out of the picture.

How did you reach that conclusion? Kimi only announced his sabbatical after Button got the job at Mac.

I've read your post on it. Raikkenon announced his sabbatical after Alan Henry's article in the Guardian. It's possible that McLaren had told several drivers on their shortlist to hold out including Button and when they finally lost patience with Raikkenon, they offered Button a contract. And Raikkenon was forced to take a sabbatical.

I don't understand why he felt he needed to use his salary demand as an excuse though. It's silly season, he could have just told Brawn he's considering other options.

as a mclaren fan, one would hope so... although it will be funny if come winter testing.... Whitmarsh says "oops Jenson, we are 2 secs off our estimate, sorry u will have to make do with this oversteering lemon...nice one signing the contract though"

LOL


when he was sitting down with martin, paddy and Noble i bet they told him what figures they expect to improve by and sure he must of sh** his pants.
i bet they said "jenson we expect to improve the car based on our figures by 2 seconds no BS", and jenson goes "ok is that for my car or lewis's"

Button says he needed a fresh challenge

After reading the article, all I could understand regarding this new *challenge* is to beat Lewis... can some one please explain and reflect on this, WTF is this challenge? He sounds like he isn't interested in the WDC at all, he feels like he has achieved now and that's probably it. This is exactly the kind of guy Mclaren wanted in fact, that'll just pick up the points where he can while not disturbing Lewis's challenge for the WDC. great!

Reading Buttons comments the whole thing makes a bit more sense now.

In a way I think Button had reached the end of his natural life with Honda/Brawn. Started at the bottom and ended at the top. He won the title which was his goal in life and now he needs a new goal with a new team. Reminds me of Alonso in a way when he moved to McLaren for a new challenge after winning his titles with Renault.

The fact Button is on less money at McLaren than he would have got with Brawn suggests the motivation to move was the challenge. I mean let's not forget Button has been at "BAR/Honda/Brawn" for 7 years. Who can blame him for wanting to go and see how things work at another team and start again. I appreciate people will say Brawn wasn't Honda and Honda wasn't BAR but to Button I'm sure the last 7 years have been him racing for the same people.

I say good luck to him. Even if he fails to match Hamilton he will still be a former World Champion.. so why not go for it? Why stay safe when you can set yourself a new challenge?

Good on you Jenson.

Announcement Schm-nouncement....(or whatever else works). It's not when it was announced to us that counts.

Like who? The only other top team with a spare seat was McLaren.

Who said he's not interested in WDC? How can he win the WDC without beating Lewis? The challenge is beating Lewis to the championship.

How do you read "Not interested in the WDC"? On the assumption that Mac have a good car and he beats LH, then he will likely win the WDC.

I see a driver who is not afraid to take on one of the best drivers in F1, which is in sharp contrast to many others.

there were reports in the media about him being considered for the McLaren seat anyway, he could have told Brawn he wanted to take his time to decide. No need to pretend money is the issue, what did he stand to gain from making such an excuse? He was announced before Raikkenon's sabbatical, I think Raikkenon and his people didn't see that coming at all.

My respect for Button has definitely gone up after this move.

You guys sound very confident that only mclaren will be the fastest car out there and seems like hamilton will always be leading it, like the whole grid will vanish and button will beat him to win another WDC.

Lets wait and see, I'd say.