“Negotiations (with Button) are continuing and the reports that he has already agreed terms with McLaren are not helpful. I would be amazed if that were the case,” said Brawn the other day, as reported by The Independent newspaper.
In addition, the new boss of the Silver Arrows F1 Team – the team's new designation following the Daimler AG takeover – insisted that Button should stay at Brackley if he wants to successfully defend his F1 crown and continue to be a front runner in the series. With huge factory support from Mercedes Benz, Brawn said his team knows Button all too well and will help him extend his winning streak in the series.
“His best future is with our team, where he has a good group around him, and there's a lot to be said for that. The logical thing would be for him to stay with us, but of course logic doesn't always prevail,” added Brawn, hinting that losing Button is a possibility for the time being.
Earlier last week, Brawn told the media that there are close to 100 percent chances of inking an extension with Button, but the team's chief executive officer Nick Fry this week insisted that the Mercedes-Brawn deal will not bring anything new to the table in terms of Button's offer. Meaning, no more money as compared to the 2009 season (when Button's initial paycheck was already cut in half prior to the start of the Australian GP), but more freedom in picking his personal endorsements for 2010.
Kimi Raikkonen's manager recently announced that his client will take a sabbatical for the 2010 season, which added to the reports suggesting that McLaren ditched the Finn off for a deal with Button.
Under the circumstances, Button's place at Brawn/Silver Arrows F1 Team will most likely be taken by Nico Rosberg. As for the second spot, Nick Heidfeld seems to hold the best chances of joining his fellow countryman at Brackley.
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