Button Reveals Reasons for McLaren Switch

Jenson Button

Following immense criticism from most of the F1 pundits and former employers back at Brawn for his sudden switch to McLaren Mercedes, Jenson Button finally broke the silence and told the world why he chose to pack his bags and head to Woking.

The reigning world champion actually confirmed the latest reports that he would have earned more money back at Brackley than what he has signed for with McLaren, but decided to leave Ross Brawn & Co anyway because he was looking for new challenges in the sport. So it was the toughness of the challenge that drove him to seal a deal with McLaren, rather than continue with his comforting life at Brawn.

“I am actually earning less than I would have been at Brawn so it's not about the money. It's because it's something new,” said Brawn in a short interview with BBC Radio Five Live.

In addition, talking to Reuters Television later on, the 29-year old Brit admitted he was in a big dilemma after winning his first ever world title. The first thing that popped into his mind was not how to defend it with Brawn, but by starting from scratch all over again.

“I thought 'so, what happens now? Where do I go from here?'. I've been very comfortable within that (Brawn) team and it (moving to McLaren) is taking me outside of my comfort zone. That's why I am doing it. I'm not going because it's going to be easy, I'm going because it's going to be tough," added Button.

Button also admitted that he hopes to remain friends with former team boss and mentor for the last 2 years Ross Brawn, despite his decision to betray the loyalty of the Brackley personnel and go to McLaren.