McLaren attempting to woo Button.

[eno]

Button has visited McLaren continuing the speculation that Brawn can't offer enough to keep him.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsp ... 359972.stm

I still reckon it's the dream team Button and Hamilton in a British team.

[expat]

I have to say I don't have much sympathy with drivers over salaries. Lets face it, after a single season any driver who enters F1 could afford to retire and live very, very well for the rest of his natural. Jenson has said he has a desire to stay at Brawn, but it is a question of money. How much is a world Champion worth?? I would bet not as much as he thinks. I do get tired of hearing about being about the car, or the team, or the racing, but at the end of the day it is always about the money. If Minardi where able to offer Ferrari wages but were still a back of the grid team, they would have had drivers managers queuing at the door........sadly.

Matt


PS....Button and Hamilton together under one roof, yes please.

[ozzy72]

I'll believe it when the ink has dried on the dotted line....

[C]

I suspect a lot may well be decided on where Mercedes prefer him to be. If they wanted him to stay at Brawn, I'm sure they'd stump up the cash to pay his wages.

[Craig.]

This as Charlie said will all come down to if Mercedes buy Brawn as rumored. If they do he goes no-where. If they don't maybe.
I also think this is as much a kick up the butt for the Kimi camp to sign.
Button's worth? As a champion, a fair amount, as a complete driver? middle of the pack to top third at best.
He's a good driver consistently quick when the conditions work for him. But when they go against him he's just average.
Lewis and Kimi are two prime examples of this. Both their respective cars this year in the hands of their team mates were struggling round out the points, struggling with the backmarkers. Hell Heikki finished behind Massa in the points, and Mr 2nd place in Belguim couldn't score a point.
Yet Lewis and Kimi were taking these cars to wins and consistent podiums and points. Massa was doing the same, Alonso in the Renault, and Schumi as an example in 2005. Mikka has done it in the past. These are the drivers that have the ability to get the extra 3 tenths out of a crap car that makes the differance between spraying champagne and watching from the paddock.
Jenson has never displayed that ability and I dont think deserves to be in their wage bracket title or not (exception Massa as he's actually near the bottom in earnings)

[eno]

Look's like the deal is almost done.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsp ... 363892.stm

We'll hopefully get the chance to see if Button is as good as Hamilton .

[CD.]

This story has now been officially confirmed, I can't wait until next season!
8-)

[Craig.]

I am genuinely shocked at this move. And confused, Button is basically putting himself into a number 2 role as a world champion. He will get shown up very quickly by Hamilton..

[expat]

I am genuinely shocked at this move. And confused, Button is basically putting himself into a number 2 role as a world champion. He will get shown up very quickly by Hamilton..

What else could he have done. Mercedes are looking for an all German line up. What other option did he have?
Matt

[C]

As Matt said, if Mercedes had wanted him, they'd have given RB access to the funds to match or better McLaren's offer. They did not (I suspect the official line will be their "cost cutting"), and Jenson made the sensible business choice. He may only get one opportunity to cash in on his #1 status, and we'll see how next year goes. It'll be interesting to see if any Brawn personnel go with him. He's in good company though (Mansell, D Hill), and not dissimilar circumstances, certainly to Hill.

Despite Nobby's words claiming otherwise, I suspect this was all to allow them a clean slate at the new Mercedes GP. Back home I suspect they've been rather frustrated by the lack of any German talent in a silver car.

[Craig.]

Heidfeld is obviously the one being mentioned, but name one sucessful avaliable German driver.

[C]

Heidfeld is obviously the one being mentioned, but name one sucessful avaliable German driver.

Depends if you are confining your search to those in F1...

Thinking long term, as undoubtedly they are, it'd be nice to see them introduce some new young Mercedes blood, from DTM or the like.

[Craig.]

How about finding an open wheeler who might be sucessful. Much like the F1 to DTM thing doesn't generally work, going the other way is no better. Plus DTM is overrated these days. I've seen Schumacher M mentioned on the Autosport forums which is quite amusing. I suppose there is the Brawn connection and of course the Merc sportscar past, but that wont happen.
Nico Hulkenberg might be the next big young star but who knows, right now young german talent is a bit thin.
forget German driver, I'd like to see Paffet get a chance, he's been a mercedes boy for a long time, yes he's DTM but he's first and foremost an open wheel driver.

[The Ruptured Duck]

I have to say, bad move for Button.  Now that Brawn GP is now Mercedes GP, I think he has a better chance there.  That said McLaren pays better and McLaren probably loves the promotion power of 2 world champs to get more sponsors

[Craig.]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/80207

I honestly think Nick Fry may be the worst person incharge of a teams day to day running.
Seems to me they got caught with their trousers round their ankles and now they are starting the "well screw you" remarks up.
How he can believe that signing him up before the end of the season was not a priority is ridiculous. They should have known had he won the title he'd have been in demand with a higher price.
I think end of the day Button knew Brawn/mercedes whoever they ended up being was far more likely to be a one year wonder and got out of town before returning to his back of the grid days of Honda.